music through the ages - andres arenas

This picture depicts what looks like a horn from a past era. The horn receives its name from the horns of cattle, which were used to make them when the horn was first created by craving them out. This one here is made of a molded sheet of copper and has a mounted mouth.

"A Concert" by Cariani is known to be one of the artists most well-known works. It features an old Lute. One can see just how much detail the artist put in to not only the features of the characters and their clothing, but the instrument itself. It features extreme detail in the strings/body and even the correct placement of the mans fingers.

Boy Playing the Flute by Judith Leyster is exactly that, a boy playing a flute. The flute could very well be one of the most known instruments to date. Originally depicted as an instrument of those less fortunate, the artist keeps to this stigma by using very dark and "poor" colors, even contributing a broken chair to keep that atmosphere.

In Allegory of Vanity by Leonaert Bramer, the picture features multiple instruments. Off the top one notices the large double bass, a few lutes, and some violins. The most interesting part of this picture was its almost surrealism approach. With the instruments losing its solidity it looks as if the instruments and the picture itself is melting.

The Five Senses, Hearing by Gonzales Coques, comes from a series of paintings demonstrating the five human senses. This one in the series is for hearing, ergo the man depicted playing a violin. An instrument that to this day is featured in anything from orchestras to rock bands. An instrument that emits a truly beautiful sound.

Here one can see what seems to be a woman playing a harpsichord in a rather flirtatious manner to the accompanying man. A popular subject to paint among 17th century painters, you can see the detail that Jan Steen brought to the painting by noticing that even the harpsichord in all its detail, has biblical inscriptions. Translated to "actions prove the man," possibly a witty comment in regards to the flirtatious vibe of the picture itself.

Here we see an actual harp that is itself a work of art. Created by Jean-Henri Naderman, this reminds us that instruments themselves can be mediums to portray art. With the use of black and gold he was able to give the harp an almost royal feel, giving the instrument elegance and a good amount of contrast.

This grand piano was painted by Francois Rochard. The color and detail to the designs among it make it unique. Using a plethora of polychrome colors the piano has a design filled with glamour and gold. It was owned by Queen Victoria and Prince Albert, this work of art truly embodies a piano fit for royalty.

Featuring bongos, a small piano, and a sitar, this painting dives into the musical culture of an indian family. "Indian Musicians" by Liu Kang, shows a family in the middle of a performance. The depiction of the hand movements and body language give the painting a lot of movement that really makes it feel as if they were captured mid performance.

This painting shows a collection of horns, connected to what seems to be nothing, hence the name "Silent Monument." The way Byoungho Kim formed the horns to stretch out, give it a movement that almost fools anyone looking in to thinking that there is a great sound coming from it.