The Concert c. 17th century

Editor: This is "The Concert" by Wallerant Vaillant. It's an undated engraving that features three figures making music. It feels very intimate and domestic to me. What do you see in this piece? Curator: Ah, yes, it’s like stepping into a private performance. The texture, achieved through mezzotint, softens the edges, making it feel almost dreamlike, doesn't it? Consider the era: what unspoken social scripts do you think are playing out here? Editor: It makes me wonder who they are, and what their relationships are. Curator: Exactly! Vaillant captures a moment where art, music, and perhaps even courtship intertwine. It’s a little window into the lives of the 17th century elite, wouldn't you agree? Editor: I hadn't considered it that way before, but it makes so much sense in context.