In The Lute Player (Orazio Gentileschi), how is the Description discussed?
The Lute Player depicts a young woman in a golden dress with a lute, turned away from the observer, concentrating her attention on the nineteen stringed instrument and listening intently to a note. She may be tuning her lute in anticipation of a concert, as shown by the assortment of recorders, a cornetto and violin, and the song books lying open on the table before her. However, she cannot reach the black tuning pegs at the top of the instrument in this position. The painting is rich in its renderings of fabrics. It can be taken as a genre scene or as a portrait, but since many of the paintings of its time included some allegorical message, it can also represent the allegory of hearing or a portrayal of Harmonia, the Greek goddess of harmony and concord.
The painting also features an optical illusion. Viewers will notice that the neck of the violin on the table will always appear to point at them no matter where they stand in relation to the painting.
lute harmony genre scene song book stringed instrument Harmonia The Lute Player allegory Greek goddess Lute