Andrew Pace
The Lute Player is a composition by the Italian Baroque master Michelangelo Merisi da Caravaggio. It exists in three versions, one in the Wildenstein Collection, another in the Hermitage Museum, St. Petersburg, and a third which recently came to light after leaving Badminton House, Gloucestershire, for auction. In 2020, the Hermitage and Badminton House versions were exhibited together at the Galleria Borghese.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Artist | Caravaggio |
| Painting Name | The Lute Player |
| Versions | Hermitage, Badminton House, Wildenstein |
| Dimensions | Hermitage (94 x 119 cm), Badminton House (96 x 121 cm) |
| Location | Hermitage Museum, St. Petersburg, Badminton House, Gloucestershire, Wildenstein Collection |
| Year | Before 1627 |
| Exhibition | Exhibited together at the Galleria Borghese in 2020 |
| Reproduction | Available at ArtsHeaven.com |
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What You'll Learn
- The Hermitage and Badminton House versions exhibited together in 2020 at the Galleria Borghese
- The Hermitage version: purchased by Russian Emperor Alexander I in 1808
- The Badminton House painting: came to light at auction in Sotheby's, New York
- The Wildenstein version: traced to the collection of Cardinal Francesco Del Monte
- The Hermitage and Badminton House versions: madrigals by Jacques Arcadelt (1515-1568)
The Hermitage and Badminton House versions exhibited together in 2020 at the Galleria Borghese
The Galleria Borghese, also known as the Borghese Gallery, is an art gallery in Rome, Italy, that houses a significant part of the Borghese Collection of paintings, sculptures, and antiquities. The gallery is located within the Villa Borghese Pinciana, which was constructed between 1607 and 1616 by Cardinal Scipione Borghese, the nephew of Pope Paul V.
In 2020, the Galleria Borghese hosted an exhibition dedicated to comparing the two versions of Caravaggio's "The Lute Player" (Suonatore di liuto). One version, from the Hermitage Museum in St. Petersburg, was recently restored and performed for Benedict and Vincenzo Giustiniani. The other, formerly housed in Badminton House in Gloucestershire, was commissioned by Francesco Maria Del Monte.
The exhibition, which opened on April 29, 2020, aimed to highlight the stylistic development of Caravaggio by displaying the two "The Lute Player" paintings alongside six other masterpieces from the Borghese collection. The Hermitage version is slightly smaller than the Badminton House version and features a bare marble tabletop with a violin and a still life of flowers and fruit. The Badminton House version, on the other hand, includes a carpeted table with a tenor recorder, a spinetta (a small keyboard instrument), and a caged songbird.
The two paintings differ in several other ways. The eyes in the Badminton House version are slightly out of line, with the left eye closer to the nose in the Hermitage version. The facial features in the Badminton House version are also more pronounced, with corrections suggesting an attempt to balance the face. The Hermitage version is notable for its dense brushwork and the inclusion of pentimenti (incisions made in the paint with the brush handle). The Badminton House version is distinguished by its larger size and the scattering of dewdrops on the flowers.
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The Hermitage version: purchased by Russian Emperor Alexander I in 1808
The Lute Player, a composition by the Italian Baroque master Michelangelo Merisi da Caravaggio, exists in three versions. The Hermitage version, purchased by Russian Emperor Alexander I in 1808, is from the collection of the artist's patron Del Monte's friend and neighbour, Marchese Vincenzo Giustiniani.
The painting, housed in the Hermitage Museum in St. Petersburg, Russia, depicts a boy with soft facial features and thick brown hair, accompanying himself on the lute as he sings a madrigal about love. The table-top in front of the figure is bare marble, with a violin on one side and a still life of flowers and fruit on the other. The Hermitage version also features madrigals by Jacques Arcadelt (1515-1568), with visible text reading, "Vous savez que je vous aime et vous adore...Je fus vôtre," which translates to "You know I love you and adore you...I was yours."
The Hermitage version is slightly smaller than the Badminton House version, measuring 94 by 119 cm, and has lost a few centimetres over time, as evidenced by the canvas intersecting the violin scroll and some of the flowers on the left. It is also characterised by denser brushwork and the absence of a crystal ball-like carafe with reflections, which is present in the Badminton House version.
The differences between the Hermitage and Badminton House versions are attributed to Caravaggio's painting style, where bold indications of elements like the ear and mouth are first outlined in thin, dark oil paint. The corrections in the Badminton House version, such as the slight misalignment of the eyes and more pronounced facial features, reflect the artist's attempt to balance the composition.
The Hermitage version of The Lute Player, acquired by Russian Emperor Alexander I, showcases Caravaggio's attention to detail and unique style, making it a valuable addition to the collection of Marchese Vincenzo Giustiniani.
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The Badminton House painting: came to light at auction in Sotheby's, New York
The Badminton House painting, also known as "The Lute Player", is a renowned work by the celebrated artist Caravaggio. This exquisite piece, which depicts a young boy playing the lute and singing a madrigal of love, has a fascinating history that includes illustrious patrons and notable exhibitions. One of the most significant moments in the painting's journey occurred when it came to light at auction in Sotheby's, New York, on January 25th.
The painting's appearance at Sotheby's auction house in New York marked a pivotal moment in its story. Sotheby's, renowned for its prestigious auctions, has a history of selling significant artworks, including Chinese contemporary art and works by renowned artists like Yue Minjun, whose painting "Execution" set a record at the auction house. The emergence of "The Lute Player" at Sotheby's in New York undoubtedly attracted attention and curiosity from art enthusiasts and collectors alike.
The Badminton House version of "The Lute Player" is particularly distinctive due to its unique elements and its connection to Caravaggio's patron, Cardinal Del Monte. The painting features a bare marble tabletop with a violin and a still life of flowers and fruit, differing from the Wildenstein version. This version also includes madrigals by Jacques Arcadelt, with visible text expressing love and adoration. These specific details set it apart from other versions and contribute to its significance.
The Sotheby's auction in New York brought new attention to "The Lute Player" and likely generated interest in the art world. The painting's subsequent exhibition at the Galleria Borghese in 2020, alongside the Hermitage version, further emphasised its importance. The exhibition allowed viewers to compare and contrast the two versions, highlighting the subtle differences in their compositions and artistic techniques. The Hermitage version, acquired by Russian Emperor Alexander I in 1808, has its own intriguing history.
The Badminton House painting, with its rich history and unique characteristics, continues to captivate art enthusiasts and scholars alike. Its journey, from its creation by Caravaggio to its discovery at the Sotheby's auction in New York, showcases the enduring appeal of this masterpiece. "The Lute Player" remains a testament to Caravaggio's talent and a valuable piece of art history, offering insights into the artistic techniques and patronage of its time.
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The Wildenstein version: traced to the collection of Cardinal Francesco Del Monte
The Lute Player, painted by Caravaggio, is believed to have existed in three versions. One of these versions, the Wildenstein version, can be traced back to the collection of Cardinal Francesco Del Monte. Del Monte was a prominent art collector and patron of Caravaggio, and he played a significant role in the artist's early career.
The Wildenstein version of The Lute Player is notable for its depiction of a young boy with soft facial features and thick brown hair, playing the lute and singing a madrigal about love. The table in front of the boy is covered with a carpet, and it holds a tenor recorder, a spinetta (a small keyboard instrument), and a caged songbird. The choice of musical instruments reflects Del Monte's personal collection and his cultural and political affiliations. The songbird and flowers suggest the theme of transience, as they symbolise the fleeting nature of love and life.
The Wildenstein version was sold by Del Monte's heirs in 1628 to Cardinal Antonio Barberini, along with other paintings by Caravaggio, including "St. Catherine and the Cardsharps." This sale is recorded in the inventories of Del Monte's collection from 1627 and 1628. The painting is described in the 1628 inventory as "Un giovane che sona di clevo" (without attribution).
The Wildenstein version has been subject to debate regarding its artistic merit and authenticity. Critic Jason Kaufman considered the rendition of the boy in this version to be aesthetically inferior to that of the Hermitage version, noting the "hard" expression and "severely geometrized" eyebrows. David Van Edwards also pointed out apparent mistakes in the depiction of the lute and inconsistencies in perspective, questioning whether it was indeed a Caravaggio.
The Wildenstein version of The Lute Player, with its unique composition and thematic elements, offers valuable insights into Caravaggio's artistic style and the cultural context of Cardinal Del Monte's collection.
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The Hermitage and Badminton House versions: madrigals by Jacques Arcadelt (1515-1568)
The Hermitage and Badminton House versions of Caravaggio's "The Lute Player" are notable for their depiction of madrigals by the Franco-Flemish composer Jacques Arcadelt (1515-1568). Arcadelt was a prominent Renaissance composer known for his secular vocal music, including madrigals, chansons, and masses. He was active in both Italy and France and played a pivotal role in popularizing the madrigal form.
The madrigals featured in the Hermitage and Badminton House versions of "The Lute Player" showcase Arcadelt's talent. The visible text on the paintings reads, "Vous savez que je vous aime et vous adore...Je fus vôtre," which translates to "You know I love you and adore you...I was yours." This text reflects the theme of love that the boy in the painting is singing about while accompanying himself on the lute.
The choice of Arcadelt's madrigals by Caravaggio is significant. The Franco-Flemish composer's work reflects the cultural and political affiliations of the painting's patron, Cardinal Del Monte, and his circle. Del Monte was a prominent supporter of Caravaggio, and the two had a close relationship. The painting's depiction of a young man playing the lute and singing a madrigal about love is a testament to Caravaggio's skill in capturing the emotion and atmosphere of the scene.
The Hermitage and Badminton House versions of "The Lute Player" differ in certain details. The Badminton House version is slightly larger and features denser brushwork, with the original edge cutting off some of the flowers and the scroll of the violin. The Hermitage version, on the other hand, showcases the violin and the still life of flowers and fruit more prominently. These differences provide insight into Caravaggio's artistic process and the variations he made between the two versions.
The two versions of "The Lute Player" were exhibited together in 2020 at the Galleria Borghese, providing a rare opportunity to compare and contrast the subtle differences between the two interpretations of the same subject matter. The exhibition highlighted the beauty and skill inherent in both works, showcasing Caravaggio's mastery of light, shadow, and emotional expression.
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Frequently asked questions
The Badminton Lute Player, also known as The Lute Player, by Caravaggio was exhibited at the Badminton House in Gloucestershire, United Kingdom. In 2020, it was exhibited together with the Hermitage version at the Galleria Borghese.
The Hermitage and Badminton House versions differ in size, with the latter being slightly larger. The Badminton House version also features a carafe of water reflecting a window and other features of the room, and the flowers are scattered with dewdrops. The Hermitage version, on the other hand, has a bare marble tabletop with a violin and a still life of flowers and fruit.
Yes, there is a third version known as the Wildenstein version, which was once part of the collection of Cardinal Francesco Del Monte and on loan to the Metropolitan Museum of Art. This version differs from the others by depicting a table covered with a carpet and featuring a tenor recorder, a spinetta (a small keyboard instrument), and a caged songbird.
Yes, reproductions of Caravaggio's The Lute Player are available for purchase from various online art retailers. These reproductions aim to retain the qualities of the original painting and are hand-painted by master artists.
