Artwork
The blind Fiddler
The blind Fiddler is an oil painting by the Dutch Golden Age artist Cornelis Pietersz Bega. It dates from 1657 and is held in the collection of the Ashmolean Museum.
About this work
Overview
The Blind Fiddler is a painting created by Cornelis Pietersz Bega around 1657. It is an oil painting that exemplifies the artist's skill in genre scenes.
Subject & Meaning
The painting depicts a blind violinist sitting on a bench, accompanied by another man holding a pipe. The scene is set in a cluttered, dimly lit room, with the figures emerging from the darkness.
Technique & Style
Bega employed chiaroscuro to create a strong contrast between light and dark, drawing attention to the figures. The use of dark colors and selective illumination adds depth to the scene.
History & Provenance
The Blind Fiddler is part of the Ashmolean Museum's collection. Bega, a Dutch Golden Age painter and engraver, trained under Adriaen van Ostade and was active in Haarlem.
Artist & collection
Artist
Cornelis Pietersz Bega, or Cornelis Pietersz Begijn (1631/32 – 27 August 1664) was a Dutch Golden Age painter and engraver.
