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Lucas van Leyden

The Musicians

1524
Engraving in black on cream laid paper
11.7 × 7.5 cm (4.6 × 3 in)

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In the collection of Art Institute of Chicago, Chicago · as of July 2026

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FROM THE ART INSTITUTE OF CHICAGO’S CATALOG

This engraving by Lucas van Leyden illustrates marital harmony by depicting a couple making music together. In this instance the woman plays the dominant role. She sounds a note on a three-stringed rebec (similar to a violin) while her husband tunes his lute, plucking a string and turning a tuning peg. The man has also removed one of his clogs, a sign of submission. The couple appears to be prosperous, as they wear fine, fur-trimmed garments and play musical instruments associated with court culture.

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