Theodoor Rombouts (Flemish, 1597 – 1637)

The Concert

Oil on canvas
44 ⅞ x 68 ⅞ in.
Purchased with funds provided by Eunice Pitt Odom Semmes
AP.1970.10.1

Scenes of music parties, like this one by Theodoor Rombouts, were common among Flemish artists of the 17^th century. Here, Rombouts used dramatic lighting to highlight various features of the musicians, who gather around a central table. These features – ear, nose, hand, and eye – correspond to four of the five senses. Rombouts studied the work of Italian artist Caravaggio (1571 – 1610) when he lived in Rome. Rombouts’ use of bright light and deep shadows recalls Caravaggio’s similar dramatic lighting effects.