The Art Museum Challenge: A Journey for the Music Aficionado

The art museum might seem dull with its old paintings, but it can be exciting if you explore it with a challenge.

During a recent visit to the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts, I encountered a 1624 painting of a woman tuning her lute. Her rosy cheeks suggested she might have been in the midst of a performance, and her warm, engaging smile seemed to captivate the audience.

The scene vividly reminded me of how music was experienced for thousands of years: exclusively live. And acoustic!

The intricate depiction of the beautiful instrument inspired me to seek out more images showcasing the tools of the trade from that era. It also sparked a deep appreciation for those who:

Invented electricity and integrated it into music (so we can turn up the volume!)
Pioneered recorded music (so we can listen music anytime)
Brought music to the masses through radio

Wife playing the virginal (keyboard instrument 17th century) for her husband (in bed behind the curtain) in this Dutch painting circa 1650 (Montreal museum)

A depiction of King David and his harp (lyre) dated 1626 (Montreal museum)

Later in 2024, I visited Brussels and had the opportunity to explore the renowned Museum of Musical Instruments (MIM). However, I opted instead to visit the Royal Museum of Fine Arts, the old masters collection, where I embarked on a “hunt” for old paintings that capture the essence of music from those bygone eras.

The results were exciting! (tap or click the pictures to enlarge)