Musical Allegory 1626

Rembrandt van Rijn’s “Musical Allegory” (1626) depicts a scene of music-making, with four figures positioned around a seated woman, who appears to be conducting the group with her left hand while reading music with her right. The group is comprised of a man playing a harp, a man playing a cello, and an older woman observing the scene. Rembrandt’s use of chiaroscuro, a dramatic contrast of light and dark, emphasizes the central figure and her connection to the music. This oil painting, housed in the Rijksmuseum, is a testament to Rembrandt’s early mastery of light and composition.