Musica (Muziek) c. 1600 - 1685

Jean Baptiste Humbelot’s engraving, “Musica,” presents us with a symbolic embodiment of music from the 17th century. The figure holds a quill, poised as if capturing melodies, while a score and instruments surround her, representing the tools and the tangible form of musical expression. Note the presence of a bird perched on a nearby branch. Birds have long been associated with music, their songs echoing the harmony and freedom that music can evoke. Consider Orpheus from Greek mythology, whose lyre could charm animals and even move inanimate objects. The musical instruments in the engraving and Orpheus’ lyre are not merely tools; they are conduits for a psychological transformation. This connection, transcending time, highlights how music, both then and now, serves as a powerful emotional force, capable of stirring the soul and forging connections between the human spirit and the natural world. The themes of harmony, emotional expression, and the power of artistic creation are not linear; they reappear, evolve, and resurface across different eras and cultural contexts.