Artwork
An African Lyre Player (recto)
An African Lyre Player (recto) is an unspecified painting. It dates from 1650 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art. The work depicts a seated figure engaged in music, positioned on a grassy patch dotted with flowers.
About this work
Overview
The background consists of a beige field beneath a blue sky scattered with white clouds, framed by a decorative border.
The work depicts a seated figure engaged in music, positioned on a grassy patch dotted with flowers. He is attired in a white tunic, a white turban accented with a yellow band, and green trousers patterned in red. A red sash encircles his waist, and a long white cape drapes over his shoulders. The background consists of a beige field beneath a blue sky scattered with white clouds, framed by a decorative border.
Subject & Meaning
The central figure is an African lyre player, captured in the act of plucking the instrument while appearing to sing, his mouth open and gaze directed upward. The composition emphasizes the act of musical performance, suggesting a celebration of cultural expression through music.
Technique & Style
Rendered in paint, the image employs a clear, linear approach to delineate clothing and instrument details. The palette combines bright whites, greens, reds, and blues, while the beige backdrop provides a neutral field that highlights the figure. The decorative border frames the scene in a manner reminiscent of traditional manuscript illumination.
History & Provenance
The painting is identified as the recto side of a work titled "An African Lyre Player." No further information on its creation date, artist, or ownership history is provided in the source material.
Artist & collection
