Serenade
by LEYSTER, Judith, Oil on panel, 46 x 35 cm
The lute-player is depicted di sotto in su, from a low vantage point. Singing a serenade he is accompanying himself on the lute. His extravagant red breeches with yellowish-gold and black stripes are slightly out of focus, creating the illusion that the viewer is looking up at him from close by.
Judith Leyster was one of the very few professional female painters of her time.
Suggested listening (streaming mp3, 7 minutes):
Franz Schubert: Ständchen (Serenade), Franz Liszt’s transcription