Sitzender Knabe, eine Klarinette in den Händen haltend c. 1765 - 1769

Georg Melchior Kraus created this watercolor drawing depicting a boy holding a clarinet, sometime in the 18th century. Kraus was Director of the Princely Academy of Arts, so he was well-versed in painting portraits of the elite, but he also captured the daily lives of ordinary people. The young musician here is an intriguing subject, captured with sensitivity. Is he a child laborer, or from a family where music is cherished? Kraus invites us to consider the boy’s social standing, but also his personal life. The boy’s smile is enigmatic: is it one of joy, or perhaps something more guarded? The clarinet itself is an instrument associated with folk music. In a time when social roles were highly defined, Kraus’ decision to portray this young musician blurs the boundaries between different social worlds. It allows us to think about the emotional and personal dimensions of those who often remain unseen in the grand narratives of history.