Luitspelende heer en dame 1772 - 1774

Bernhard Schreuder made this drawing of a lute-playing gentleman and lady with pen in gray around 1750. The composition, with its delicate lines and muted tones, presents a scene of domestic music-making. Schreuder uses line and form to create a structured yet informal setting. Notice how the artist employs hatching and cross-hatching to define the contours of the figures and interior, creating depth and volume. The lutes themselves, prominently displayed, serve as focal points, drawing our attention to the act of musical performance. The drawing destabilizes the typical genre scene through its understated elegance. The architectural details of the room and the costumes are rendered with careful precision. Schreuder’s drawing engages with themes of leisure and the performative aspects of social interaction. These elements invite us to consider the broader cultural and philosophical implications embedded within this image.