De fluitist 1589 - 1626

Bartholomeus Willemsz. Dolendo created this engraving of a flute player. It emerges from a period deeply shaped by religious reformation, the rise of humanism, and nascent capitalism. Here, the flute player’s gaze, direct and self-assured, invites us to consider the intersection of artistry and identity in the 16th century. The delicate lines of the engraving emphasize the musician's clothing and the instrument. Note how Dolendo contrasts the musician's personal expression with the structured rigidity of the window behind him. The inscription, a personal motto or perhaps a verse, suggests a quest for harmony, "Well, pleasing flute, I want my lust to cool, flute with your lute, that I may feel it." The artwork invites reflection on individual agency and cultural expression during a time of social and political transformation. It bridges the personal realm of artistic endeavor with the broader sweep of historical change.