Science-blog

03/01/1991

A7 Magical instruments paintings

Diana and Actaeon, painted by Hendrick van Balen (figures) and Jan Tilens (landscape). Gemäldegalerie Schloss Wilhelmshöhe, Kassel, Collection of Old Masters. Please click to enlarge.

Only on the second glance it becomes apparent that it is part of a former painted harpsichord. Traces of the back hinge point clearly to the workshop of the instrument-maker-dynasty Ruckers in Antwerp - comparable in quality with the name Stradivarius in violin. Written sources prove that even Peter Paul Rubens painted at least one instrument of this workshop. Music and painting met at the highest level.