The Music Lesson 1671

Curator: Welcome, everyone. We're looking at "The Music Lesson," a genre painting rendered in oil paint by Jacob Ochtervelt around 1671. It currently resides at the Art Institute of Chicago. Editor: My initial reaction is that this domestic scene is serene. The textures of the fabrics and instruments create a comforting intimacy despite the formality. There's a painterly softness. Curator: The painting is exemplary of the Dutch Golden Age, a period where we see the rise of the middle class. The setting is a well-appointed home. We see a woman learning to play what appears to be a viola da gamba, accompanied by a man with a lute. Editor: Exactly! Let's focus on the materials. Look at the light on the strings, the polished wood of the instruments! These aren't just symbolic objects but tangible, crafted things. One must also ask, how did the cost of such high-quality musical instrument reflect access and production systems of Ochtervelt's time? Curator: Indeed. Ochtervelt was a master of depicting such domestic interiors that spoke to the values and aspirations of his affluent clientele. The inclusion of the map on the wall also speaks to the Netherlands’ expanding global presence and commercial interests at the time. This hints to the global accessibility that made it attainable for the Netherlands. Editor: Yes, there's an undeniable connection. Yet the painting also touches upon a theme about gendered labor. What kind of freedom would have a young woman in the 17th-century had while mastering a musical instrument? Curator: The image offers insights into societal norms, portraying the refinement and cultural capital expected of women in a wealthy household. Music served as a social grace, enhancing a woman's marriageability and status. We are seeing how it affected every gender and class. Editor: And to close off: Let's not forget the delightful, unassuming dog lounging on the chair! It is perhaps the silent judge of their performance, a material object turned to art! It’s easy to be drawn in for so many reasons. Curator: Well, reflecting on the artistic skills, social settings and history, it is amazing how Ochtervelt wove layers of material, meaning and intent on to one canvas.