Lute Player (detail)
by CARAVAGGIO, Oil on canvas
The open song book depicts the composition of Jacques (Jacob) Arcadelt, the bass voice of a popular madrigal Voi sapete ch [‘io v’amo] (you know that [I love you]). The inscription can be read as “Gallus” or “Bassus”.
Suggested listening (streaming mp3, 2 minutes):
Jacobus Gallus: Two motets