Seven String Bass Viol 1720

Editor: Here we have Nicolas Bertrand’s Seven String Bass Viol from 1720, currently residing in the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Carved meticulously from wood, it's visually striking. It's so austere and brown; almost monastic in its simplicity. What symbolic readings can you glean from its design? Curator: The seven strings themselves are telling. In musical iconography, numbers hold profound significance. Seven, often seen as a divine number, representing wholeness and perfection. In what ways could that symbolism play into the intended purpose or perception of this instrument? Editor: That’s fascinating! So, it’s not just a musical instrument but a vessel carrying deeper meaning? Curator: Precisely! The wood, its aged, dark quality, also contributes. The patina suggests the passage of time, a cultural memory embedded within the object. Imagine the stories it could tell. What feelings does that evoke in you? Editor: I imagine courtly dances and somber serenades... a sense of both celebration and quiet reflection. Almost like the backdrop to life itself. Curator: Exactly! The scroll at the top, perhaps carved to represent a human figure, suggests a connection to humanity, grounding the divine in the earthly realm. Music, in this context, becomes a bridge between these realms. What’s your take? Editor: It’s like the instrument becomes a mediator...a symbol of harmony, resonating both musically and spiritually. I appreciate how unpacking the visual details reveals so many symbolic layers! Curator: Indeed, seeing beyond the surface, understanding the language of symbols unlocks richer appreciation for the object and its place in cultural history.