The painting by Anthonie Palamedes “Singer Duet with Flutist” is a wonderful example of Dutch art. The picture entered the Ulyanovsk Art Museum in 1924 from the private collection of Vladimir Petrovich Meshcherinov. The 17th century is called the Golden Age of Dutch painting — that was the period of emotional upheaval and proliferation of new genres. One of them is the depiction of everyday scenes and people from different walks of life: artisans, peasants, burghers, soldiers, and artists. The subjects and mood reflected the triumph of a simple life, the freedom and joy of the Dutch after gaining independence from the Spanish rule.
The painting “Singer Duet with Flutist” features a small chamber concert. There is no movement or narrative in the picture; it is a quiet scene of private life — the attention is drawn to the connection between the characters. There are three figures in the painting; the composition is characterized by freedom and ease. The harmony is enhanced by a barely noticeable gesture — the movement of the woman’s shoulder. This detail connects the figures and ensures the unity of thought and mood.
Dutch painting is characterized by attention to detail and authenticity. The colors of the “Singer Duet with Flutist” painting are restrained, noble and life-like. The singer’s expensive dress is of dark cherry color and decorated with gold embroidery. It goes well with the man’s golden suit and his wide-brimmed hat. The performers are connected by music; the flutist does not take his eyes off the singer. Their lace collars and large fashionable cuffs are masterfully rendered with the help of thick white brush strokes. This work of the Dutch painter evokes the image of his time.
Anthonie Palamedes was a Dutch artist, a representative of the Delft school of painting (which Jan Vermeer also belonged to), one of the early Dutch Realism painters and the “Little Dutch” — a group of artists who received this name for the small size of their paintings and the narrow choice of subjects. The works of Palamedes are distinguished by a careful rendering of household items, fabrics and outfits. He adopts the approach of a researcher and chronicler of Dutch culture. The art historian and senior curator of the Hermitage Andrey Ivanovich Somov described Anthonie Palamedes’s painting as follows,
The painting “Singer Duet with Flutist” features a small chamber concert. There is no movement or narrative in the picture; it is a quiet scene of private life — the attention is drawn to the connection between the characters. There are three figures in the painting; the composition is characterized by freedom and ease. The harmony is enhanced by a barely noticeable gesture — the movement of the woman’s shoulder. This detail connects the figures and ensures the unity of thought and mood.
Dutch painting is characterized by attention to detail and authenticity. The colors of the “Singer Duet with Flutist” painting are restrained, noble and life-like. The singer’s expensive dress is of dark cherry color and decorated with gold embroidery. It goes well with the man’s golden suit and his wide-brimmed hat. The performers are connected by music; the flutist does not take his eyes off the singer. Their lace collars and large fashionable cuffs are masterfully rendered with the help of thick white brush strokes. This work of the Dutch painter evokes the image of his time.
Anthonie Palamedes was a Dutch artist, a representative of the Delft school of painting (which Jan Vermeer also belonged to), one of the early Dutch Realism painters and the “Little Dutch” — a group of artists who received this name for the small size of their paintings and the narrow choice of subjects. The works of Palamedes are distinguished by a careful rendering of household items, fabrics and outfits. He adopts the approach of a researcher and chronicler of Dutch culture. The art historian and senior curator of the Hermitage Andrey Ivanovich Somov described Anthonie Palamedes’s painting as follows,
