Loading

Harpsichord

Joaquim José Antunes1758

Museu Nacional da Música

Museu Nacional da Música
Lisboa, Portugal

National treasure and one of the ex-libris of the Museu Nacional da Música’s collection. Its historical and organological characteristics make it a highly valuable instrument, unique in the Portuguese patrimonial set, not only for its antiquity and rarity, but also because it is a rare testimony of the 18th century distinct Portuguese construction technique, where it is possible to recognize a strong and well established tradition of musical craftsmanship.

This harpsichord is one of the rare surviving Portuguese specimens of that time and, therefore, of major importance to reconstruct the authentic sound image of the pre-baroque and baroque music for harpsichord produced in Portugal by composers like Domenico Scarlatti or Carlos Seixas.

Many of the construction details attest that its author, Joaquim José Antunes, was one of the most important Portuguese harpsichord builders of the 18th century, an illustrious representative of a highly developed technique.

Details

  • Title: Harpsichord
  • Creator: Joaquim José Antunes
  • Date Created: 1758
  • Location Created: Lisbon, Portugal
  • Physical Dimensions: H. 24 cm x L. 228 cm x W. 82.5 cm
  • Type: Musical Instrument
  • Contributor: Direção-Geral do Património Cultural / Arquivo de Documentação Fotográfica (DGPC/ADF)
  • Rights: Museu Nacional da Música, Lisboa
  • Medium: Coniferous wood, macacawood, boxwood, brazilian rosewood, orangewood, crow pen plectrums, brass

Get the app

Explore museums and play with Art Transfer, Pocket Galleries, Art Selfie, and more

Flash this QR Code to get the app
Google apps