This gallery includes representations of musical instruments and musicians throughout history, in painting, sculpture as well as other mediums. While selecting these pieces I focused on texture, pattern, color and movement. My focus was on selecting pieces from western musical history from different periods of time such as; Medieval (476 A.D. to 1400 A.D.), Renaissance (1400 to 1600 A.D,), Baroque (1600 to 1750), Classical (1750 to 1820), Romantic (1820 to 1900), Impressionist ( 1875 to 1925), Modern (1900 to 1960), and Post-Modern, also known as Contemporary (1960 – present).
Citole, 1280/1330, From the collection of: British Museum
This piece is called a citole and is from the medieval era. The neck, back and the sides are carved from one piece of wood. The very ornate and detailed decorations carved in the piece show a close adherence to nature and a captivation of the forest. If you look closely you will see many different creatures and even monsters, like the archer for example that has the head and belly of a human but the legs and feet of an animal.
Double portrait of musicians, Bartolomeo Passerotti, 1577/1579, From the collection of: Musei Capitolini
This piece is called Double portrait of musicians and is from the Renaissance era dating back to 1577-1579. This is an example of oil on canvas typical from this time.
You will notice that the color is mainly earth tones and comes across as very dark. The man on the right is seen holding an instrument, while both men are looking directly at you.
Musicians, Le Nain, Mathieu, Before 1677, From the collection of: Dulwich Picture Gallery
This piece is called Musicians and is from the Baroque era, 1677 to be exact. This is an oil painting on canvas and depicts a concert. The colors used here are of earth tones and has a dark background. The lines that were used are soft. Although there are three subjects seen only two of them are playing instruments that can be noticed.
Still Life with Musical Instruments and Books, Bartholomeo Bettera, Mid-17th century, From the collection of: The Israel Museum, Jerusalem
This painting is called Still life with Musical Instruments and Books and is from the classical era or otherwise known as the Mid-17th century. This painting depicts some musical instruments such as a piano and a string instrument as well as some sheet music seen in the background. The colors are of earth tones and you will notice some hard lines on the piano keys.
Pastoral, Rupert BUNNY, c.1893, From the collection of: National Gallery of Australia
This piece is called Pastoral and is oil on canvas. Pastoral was created in the Romantic era dating back to 1893. You will notice the couple sitting on the edge of an embankment while the man plays a horn. There was an amazing use of color in this piece from the red flowers seen in the grass and also around the musician’s head. Also take notice to the use of color in the sea with the reflections on the water.
By the piano. The artist's wife and children, Viggo Johansen, 1891/1892, From the collection of: Skagens Museum
This piece is called By the Piano. The artist’s wife and children. This piece dates back to the Impressionist era and was created in 1891-1892. The medium for this was oil on canvas. The scene is of a mother and her three children gathering around a piano. The colors used here are mainly earth tones with the exception of the blue, which represents the night sky. If you look towards the sheet music you will notice a glare from an unseen light or candle.
Group of Musicians, 1900/1935, From the collection of: Dr. Bhau Daji Lad Mumbai City Museum
This piece is called Group of Musicians and is from the Modern era (1900 to 1960). The medium for this piece is half-baked terracotta clay with pigments. You will notice a woman in the middle dancing and is surrounded by four musicians each playing a different musical instrument. The colors used here are rich and vibrant with gold, silver, greens, reds and blues.
It is breezing, NISHINO Kozo, 1988/2003-2004, From the collection of: The Museum of Modern Art, Saitama
This sculpture is called It is breezing and was created in the Post-Modern era otherwise known as Contemporary. The medium of this piece is alloyed titanium and is depicting a saxophone. At first glance it may be hard to understand the size of this piece but it stands around 42 feet high or 500 inches. The piece itself is coiled into the shape of a saxophone and is placed strategically over water.
Ant Dickinson Portrait, Ant Dickinson, 2014, From the collection of: Sound and Music
This black and white photograph is of a Northern Wales musician named Ant Dickinson. This photo was taken in the Post-Modern era dating from 2014. Art Dickinson is a sound designer and technologist and can be seen here using an electronic synthesizer. The black and white photo brings across a dramatic feeling but also very classic. The black background is a perfect contrast to Ant Dickinson and allows your eyes to focus on him and the movement of his fingers on the synth.
This piece is called Music and is from the Post-Modern era. The medium for this piece is oil on canvas. This piece depicts four musicians playing their instruments. It shows a lot of movement and energy. The colors used here are cold with white being the most noticeable representing the snow and wind. Two of the men are seen whaling on their drums with their arms stretched emphasizing movement and feeling. The man on the bottom left is playing a horn and can be seen blowing with his cheeks puffed and full of air while the man in the upper right of the scene seems to be swinging what looks to be a muffler to a car, but I will let you decide.
Credits: All media
This user gallery has been created by an independent third party and may not represent the views of the institutions whose collections include the featured works or of Google Arts & Culture.
