A Young Man and Woman making Music
- Artist: Jan Miense Molenaer
- Date: probably 1630-2
- Medium: oil on canvas
- Museum: The National Gallery
- Collection record: The National Gallery website
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About this artwork
This is "A Young Man and Woman making Music" by Jan Miense Molenaer, painted in the Dutch tradition. The painting depicts a moment of domestic tranquility, where a young couple engages in musical entertainment. The open door reveals a glimpse of a room beyond, with a fine gauze curtain hanging at a window. Molenaer was skilled in capturing textures and subtleties, often leaving his audience to interpret the scene. Here, we see rich fabrics worn by the couple - the man's starched cuff and the woman's delicate lace cap. The instruments they play hold some significance too; the theorbo is an ancient instrument rarely played today, while the cittern is easier to master. The book of music on the woman's knee reveals a pentimento, a visible trace of earlier painting beneath the layers. Molenaer was known for incorporating symbols and hidden meanings into his work. Here, we see a dog that could represent fidelity, a closed jug suggesting the young woman's virtue, and possibly a song of true love being sung by the couple. The scene is full of intricate details - from the intricately carved stool to the folds in the woman's apron visible through her music book. This painting showcases Molenaer's great skill in capturing textures and leaving his audience with questions.
See it in person
A Young Man and Woman making Music hangs in The National Gallery on Trafalgar Square, London — free to enter. Point your phone at any artwork there and audioguide.london plays a free audio guide in six languages — no app download needed.
