Public domain
The Virginal Player
From the collection of Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam. Free to download, adapt and use — no permission needed.
About this work
During the 17th century, making music at home was very popular and many wealthy people played a musical instrument. Here, a woman plays a virginal while two children listen attentively. A man is just entering the room. The painting is full of love symbolism: making music was a common metaphor for love, while the chained monkey on the instrument serves as a warning against lust.
Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam’s own descriptionCredit lineDe virginaalspeelster. c. 1637. Jan Miense Molenaer. Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam. Public domain.
