Dulcimer c. 1937

Edward Loper's 'Dulcimer' offers more than a mere depiction of a musical instrument; it's a portal to understanding the enduring power of cultural memory. Consider the dulcimer, with its delicate strings stretched across a wooden frame. It is an instrument echoing across time and cultures, a distant cousin to the zithers of ancient Greece and the psalteries of medieval Europe. The strings, like threads of fate, converge to create harmony. Think of the lyre of Orpheus, whose music charmed even the gods of the underworld. Or David’s harp, which soothed the troubled spirit of King Saul. The act of creating music, of plucking strings to weave melodies, transcends mere entertainment; it becomes an invocation, a means of connecting with the divine. The image resonates with echoes of rituals, of communal gatherings, of the human spirit's yearning for expression. Just as the image of the labyrinth evokes both confusion and the promise of resolution, the dulcimer invites us to reflect on the complex tapestry of human experience. The dulcimer reminds us of the perpetual dance between tradition and innovation.