Flemish school of the 17th century.

Flemish school of the 17th century.
"The lute player".
Oil on panel.
Measurements: 27.5 x 23.5 cm; 40 x 36 cm (frame).

The lute player, seated next to a table covered by a woolen tablecloth, plays his lute while intoning a song. He wears a minstrel costume, with silver leggings and ornaments that glisten under dim lighting that highlights the whites of the cotton sleeves and collar. The costumes have been described with attention to detail and the qualities of the fabrics. Likewise, the rosy flesh tones of the musician denote a passionate spirit. The painting is characterized by the harmony of the tonalities, with a predominance of warm colors, such as red, yellow and brown. Solitary lute players were a frequent theme in 17th century Flemish painting, as can be seen, for example, in Vermeer's "Young Man Playing a Lute". The lute, symbol of music and harmony, is traditionally associated with love and melancholy. The concentrated attitude of the young lute player and the serene atmosphere of the scene suggest an interpretation of the painting as an allegory of courtly love.