3-039-414 - Heritage Art/Heritage Images

Lady Playing a Lute, about 1530. Additional Info: Turning to the viewer with a sidelong glance and wearing an enigmatic expression, a young woman plays the lute. A skillfully-rendered sheer veil covers her wavy hair and intricate embroidery and jeweled trimming lines the bodice and sleeves of her green velvet gown. The music notes transcribed in the book below her follow some kind of comprehensive melody, but not one which can be identified with a known piece of music. The identity of the lady is unknown - this may be a portrait of a private client (the artist specialized in such commissions) or is perhaps a demonstration of the artist's ability to describe beauty and luxurious textiles.