Attributen der muziek c. 1770 - 1850

This drawing presents musical instruments and theatrical masks in two elaborate arrangements. These "attributes of music" are not merely decorative; they speak to the very essence of artistic expression, as humanity has understood it for millennia. Observe the masks, emblems of theatre since antiquity, alongside instruments like the lute and horn. The mask, a symbol of transformation, appears in ancient Greek drama and resurfaces in commedia dell'arte, always mediating between reality and illusion, individual and archetype. Similarly, musical instruments, from simple drums to sophisticated stringed instruments, evoke emotional responses. The recurring motif of the mask embodies our collective desire to explore different facets of the self. In both theatre and music, these symbols create a space where deep psychological truths can be explored and expressed. These enduring motifs serve as a testament to the cyclical nature of cultural memory and artistic expression, as they evolve across time.