Village Fair With Blind Hurdy-Gurdy Player c. 1610 - 1650

David Vinckboons painted “Village Fair With Blind Hurdy-Gurdy Player” on canvas, sometime between the late 16th and early 17th centuries. Vinckboons, who was born in the Dutch-speaking part of what is now Belgium, was a painter who focused on genre scenes and landscapes, often depicting the lives of ordinary people. In this lively scene, we see a village fair, complete with music, dance, and merriment. A blind hurdy-gurdy player leads a procession of villagers through the town. Vinckboons situates disability within the hustle and bustle of everyday life. How does this representation reflect the social status and lived experiences of disabled individuals in the Netherlands at this time? Does the painting invite us to reflect on the role of music and community in the lives of those who are often marginalized? Vinckboons' painting captures a fleeting moment of joy and connection amidst the ordinary rhythms of village life. In this moment, we are asked to think about what brings us together, and who is left out.