Courtier playing the lute
(1546) - Madrid, Biblioteca Nacional de España.
instrument: lute | century: 16cent/2/mid | catalogue nº: 16-249
Artwork
Creator anon
Medium Artwork: Drawing
Location
City Sevilla | Region Andalucia | Old kingdom Castile
Characteristics
| Body Lute | Strings strings | Neck Short | Pegbox Obscured |
| Bridge Not visible | Frets Unclear | Back Vaulted | Pegs Unclear |
| Technique Plucked |
Commentary
ARTWORK
This pen and ink drawing is found on the title page of the copy of Mudarra’s Tres libros de música held by the Biblioteca Nacional de España in Madrid. It must have been added at some stage by an owner of the book. The figure appears to represent a courtier or gentleman of some kind (judging by the bonnet) playing the lute.
INSTRUMENT
The lute is not depicted with sufficient accuracy to warrant comment. The presence of this lute in a vihuela book, however, underscores the prevalance of the lute in 16th century Spain as first speculted by Diana Poulton (poulton1977) and more recently by Corona-Alcalde (corona2014).