The Guitar Player

Charmingly informal, this portrait has more recently been thought to show Sir William Waldegrave (d. 1701) with his wife and niece. Waldegrave, who was private physician to King James II at his court in exile in France, was celebrated as a guitar player, and he is known to have commissioned a portrait from van Schuppen in 1700. Playing the guitar was a popular courtly pursuit in France in the early 18th century and was considered especially suitable for accompanying singing: the music book on the table is open at a song. The prominence given to music making is perhaps meant to suggest harmony within the family. The guitar was probably made by one of the Voboam family, guitar makers in 17th century Paris.