Lezende vrouw en een vioolspeler c. 1840 - 1860

This drawing by Charles Rochussen features a woman reading and a violinist, rendered with delicate lines. The violin itself is a powerful emblem, its strings capable of evoking intense emotional states, from joy to melancholy. Consider how the image of the musician appears across different eras. We find the lyre in ancient Greece as an attribute of Apollo, god of music, poetry, and light. The instrument transcends its mere material form, carrying the weight of cultural memory. The act of playing—of creating harmony—becomes a symbolic gesture, deeply embedded in our collective consciousness. The psychological impact of music is undeniable. It bypasses our rational defenses, striking a chord within our subconscious, connecting us to the universal language of emotion. Rochussen captures the entrancing power of music.