Oude vrouw speelt cello c. 1760s - 1770s

This anonymous print, whose dimensions are 152 by 114 mm, presents a study in contrasts. An old woman is seen fervently playing a cello, set against a backdrop of a leafy tree, evoking an atmosphere that oscillates between the pastoral and the peculiar. The composition is dominated by the large cello. Its form cuts a stark figure against the softness of the background, creating a visual tension. The woman's face, etched with wrinkles, tells a story of age, challenging conventional notions of beauty and ability. The inscription, "Age & Musick. The Ruling Passion be it what it will, The Ruling Passion conquers Reason still," underpins the print's central theme. Here, passion takes precedence over reason, and the woman is engaged in the act of creation. Ultimately, this print defies simple categorization. It's a piece that invites ongoing interpretation, prompting us to consider the relationship between age, passion, and artistic expression.