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Angel playing vihuela, Gandía (Valencia).

(1545-1555) - Convento de Santa Clara, Gandía (Valencia)
instrument: vihuela de mano | century: 16cent/2/mid | catalogue nº: 16-202

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Artwork

Creator Juanes, Juan de

Medium Artwork: Painting

Location

City Gandía | Region Valencia | Old kingdom Aragon

Characteristics
Body Waisted Strings 6 strings Neck Long Pegbox Obscured
Bridge Fixed Frets No Back Flat Pegs Obscured
Technique Plucked fingers thumb out
Commentary

ARTWORK
This figure is the central figure of three saint musicians adorning the Convent of Santa Clara in Gandía (Valencia). A harpist stands to the left, a recorder player to the right. It is a panel from a larger painting, La Trinidad con querubines y ángeles. According to Galbis (galb1995), the work dates from between 1545-55. The painter is Juan de Juanés (1523-1579), real name = Juan Macip.

INSTRUMENT
Angel playing a large 6-course vihuela. The instrument is not accurately drafted although it has many accurate features. Most noticeable is the disproportionately large size of the upper bour, wider than the lowe. Other features such as the size and placememt of the rose and bridge are realistic. The rose appears to be made separately and glued in. The marquetlry and inlays of the neck recall the Jacquemart André vihuela. The instrument is being played with the thumb in front of the index finger, figueta española.

Reproductions

http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Vihuela-basso_JuanDeJuanes.jpg

Bibliography