The Music Lesson | |
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Lady at the Virginals with a Gentleman, Woman Seated at a Virginal | |
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Artist | Johannes Vermeer |
Year | c. 1662–1665 |
Medium | Oil on canvas |
Movement | Baroque painting, Dutch Golden Age painting |
Dimensions | 74.6 cm × 64.1 cm (29.4 in × 25.2 in) |
Location | Picture Gallery, Buckingham Palace, London |
Owner | Royal Collection |
Accession | RCIN 405346 |
The Music Lesson, Woman Seated at a Virginal or A Lady at the Virginals with a Gentleman by Johannes Vermeer is a painting of a young female pupil receiving a music lesson from a man. The man's mouth is slightly agape giving the impression that he is singing along with the music that the young girl is playing. This suggests that there is a relationship between the two figures and the idea of love and music being bridged together. This was a common theme among Netherlandish art in this time period. Vermeer consistently used the same objects within his paintings such as the draped rug, the white water jug, various instruments, tiled floor and windows that convey light and shadows. This is one of few paintings produced by Vermeer which were kept in his home until his death in 1675 when his family was forced to sell them. It became a part of the Royal Collection, and it is currently on display in the Picture Gallery at Buckingham Palace in London.[1]