Draailierspeler Possibly 1772 - 1833

Mathias de Sallieth made this watercolor of a hurdy-gurdy player sometime before his death in 1791. Sallieth worked in a Dutch Republic that was undergoing significant social change, with growing economic disparities. This image captures a moment in the life of a young, working-class musician, a hurdy-gurdy player. Note the details of his clothing: patched breeches and worn shoes suggesting poverty, contrasting with the neatly kept coat and jaunty neck scarf, conveying a sense of pride. The hurdy-gurdy itself, a complex and somewhat cumbersome instrument, speaks to a tradition of itinerant musicians who traveled from town to town to make a living. Sallieth’s decision to portray this figure with such dignity invites a certain empathy from the viewer. This watercolor transcends a simple depiction of a street musician and touches upon themes of resilience, the realities of class, and the human spirit.