Artwork
Querulas praetentat pollice cordas (The Lute Player)
Querulas praetentat pollice cordas (The Lute Player) is an ink print by the Romanticist artist Johann Bernard. It dates from 1802 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
About this work
Overview
Querulas praetentat pollice cordas (The Lute Player) is a print created by Johann Bernard in 1802 using the mezzotint technique on wove paper.
Subject & Meaning
The print depicts a man dressed in old attire gently holding a lute, with his face partially illuminated and the rest in shadow, highlighting the instrument's strings and his subtle grasp.
Technique & Style
Mezzotint, a relatively new technique at the time, was used to achieve the print's characteristic velvety blacks and smooth transitions to light areas, showcasing the artist's skill in manipulating the rocked metal plate to hold varying amounts of ink.
Artist & collection
