Musicerend paar 1724

Bernard Picart created this print, titled "Musicerend paar," sometime between 1673 and 1733, now held at the Rijksmuseum. The central motif here is music, a powerful symbol of harmony and emotion. We see a couple making music together; their instruments are a direct conduit to their inner feelings. Note the presence of Cupid, whose bow and arrow have been replaced with a musical instrument. The act of making music can be traced back to ancient Greece, where it was believed to have divine origins. Think of Orpheus, whose lyre could charm beasts and even move stones. But here, in this intimate setting, the music takes on a more personal, even erotic charge. Cupid suggests that music is the language of love, capable of stirring the soul and awakening dormant desires. This is a timeless motif, resonating with the human heart across centuries.