The piper 1878

Silvestro Lega painted 'The Piper' with oil on canvas using traditional art materials. The most striking aspect of this painting is the handling of light and shadow. Notice how Lega uses delicate brushstrokes to capture the soft textures of the boy’s clothing. The loose brushwork gives a sense of movement, as if the boy and his surroundings are alive. The flute itself seems like a found object. It looks like a piece of metal pipe that the boy picked up and put holes in. It makes you wonder what was available to him, and how he made use of it. The flute isn’t the focus of the work, yet its presence tells us a lot about the boy’s world, and invites us to consider how creativity can flourish even in the most everyday of circumstances. Ultimately, Lega's work prompts us to reflect on the significance of materials, making, and context in understanding the full meaning of an artwork.