Violin-Player 1500 - 1538

Albrecht Altdorfer's "Violin-Player" is a detailed engraving depicting a musician in a classical setting, likely a nobleman in a grand hall, playing a viol, a type of stringed instrument that predates the modern violin. The musician is expertly rendered in a style common to the German Renaissance, with fine detail on his clothes and the instrument, emphasizing the skill of the artist in working with the medium of engraving. The architectural background is similarly detailed, suggesting the artist's interest in the world around him. This small, yet powerful artwork, currently housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, is a testament to Altdorfer's talent and a fascinating insight into the music and culture of the era.