Gitarist stemt zijn gitaar 1757 - 1780

This print by Pierre Etienne Moitte, dating from the 18th century, depicts a guitarist tuning his instrument, surrounded by symbols of leisure and pleasure. Note the prominent presence of birds, both alive and hunted. Birds have long been potent symbols of freedom, the soul, and the transient nature of life. This image juxtaposes the allure of freedom with the stark reality of mortality, perhaps reflecting a deeper contemplation on the ephemeral nature of artistic inspiration. Consider how the image evokes a sense of melancholy, the tuning of the guitar mirroring the artist's own internal adjustment. This melancholic tuning has roots stretching back to antiquity, where music was believed to harmonize the soul. The act of tuning, therefore, becomes a metaphor for seeking inner equilibrium. It's an echo of the Orphic mysteries, where music soothed the savage beast within, a sentiment that resonates even today.