Van Dyck, considered in his youth as the best assistant to Rubens, was a master of the portraits. A six years visit in Italy enabled him to admire the luxurious and deeply psychological art of Titian. He came back to Antwerp in 1627.
The portraits of musicians made by Van Dyck in Antwerp benefit from this dual influence of Rubens and Titian. The singers were at the same time a favorite theme of the Utrecht Caravaggians but van Dyck, looking for an aristocratic clientele, was certainly not primarily interested at cabarets.
Of Dutch origin, Hendrick Liberti was a singer and composer. His portrait was probably commissioned to van Dyck on the occasion of his appointment as organist of the Cathedral of Antwerp in 1628. It is not dated, but its dimensions, 114 x 88 cm, are similar to those of the portrait of the English musician Nicholas Lanier who was in Antwerp in 1628. The two oil paintings belonged a few years later to the fabulous royal collection of Charles I where they were probably hanging side by side.
The portrait of Liberti is for sale by Christie's in London on December 2, lot 13 estimated £ 2.5M. Less than 30 years old, the young musician is shown in mid length. He holds a sheet of music in an inspired attitude.
I invite you to play the audio shared by Christie's :
The portraits of musicians made by Van Dyck in Antwerp benefit from this dual influence of Rubens and Titian. The singers were at the same time a favorite theme of the Utrecht Caravaggians but van Dyck, looking for an aristocratic clientele, was certainly not primarily interested at cabarets.
Of Dutch origin, Hendrick Liberti was a singer and composer. His portrait was probably commissioned to van Dyck on the occasion of his appointment as organist of the Cathedral of Antwerp in 1628. It is not dated, but its dimensions, 114 x 88 cm, are similar to those of the portrait of the English musician Nicholas Lanier who was in Antwerp in 1628. The two oil paintings belonged a few years later to the fabulous royal collection of Charles I where they were probably hanging side by side.
The portrait of Liberti is for sale by Christie's in London on December 2, lot 13 estimated £ 2.5M. Less than 30 years old, the young musician is shown in mid length. He holds a sheet of music in an inspired attitude.
I invite you to play the audio shared by Christie's :
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