Drei Flötenspieler (Three Flute Players) possibly by Andries Pauli, or Pauwels, le vieux, 17th century. Dayton C. Miller Collection, Music Division, Library of Congress.
This is a very fine drypoint engraving of three flutists in Renaissance dress. All are seated at the right and each plays a transverse flute of Renaissance type. The flutist nearest the viewer is seen only from the back and he wears a dagger at his waist. The other two flutists face the viewer, but their eyes glance downward toward sheet music or their instruments. The men sit in an interior in which is visible a diamond-paned window at the upper right, a drapery or curtain at the upper left, and a round table at the lower left. The table is seen in a "bird's-eye view" and is not in proper perspective. On the table top are various items, including a plate of fruit, a small box, two carrots and a round vegetable, two books, and sheet music. The draughtsmanship is masterly.
The identity of the monogrammist, "A. P.," is not certain. Henning Oppermann, an antique dealer in Basel, from whom Miller purchased this print in 1929, suggested on the invoice, with a question mark, that the artist may be "André Pauli." Probably he meant Andries Pauli or Pauwels, the elder (1600-1639), a Flemish artist from Antwerp who was most known for his illustrations for a book on Marie de Medici's tour of the Low Countries that was published in 1632.[1] Pauli's illustrations for this book are detailed "aerial" views of the city of Antwerp which hosted elaborate celebrations for the visiting queen. These illustrations are more "documentary" in nature. They do not have the "sketchiness" or the same freshness and freedom of line that is evident in the Miller print, though Pauli the elder may indeed be the artist who created the Miller work.[2]
About the Artist
Andries Pauli, or Pauwels, le vieux, painter and draughtsman, 1600-1639
Andries Pauli, or Pauwels, le vieux, or the elder, was a Flemish artist who was born in Antwerp in 1600, and who died in the same city in 1639. He studied under Lucas Vorsterman the elder (1595-1675), a painter, draughtsman and engraver, and was a member of the guild in Antwerp. He was influenced by Jacques Callot (1592-1635), a painter, draughtsman, etcher and engraver. Andries Pauli the elder is known principally for his illustrations of Jean Puget de La Serre's, Histoire curieuse de tout ce qui c'est passé a l'entrée de la reyne mère du roy tres chrestien dans les villes des Pays-Bas. [3] His son, Andries Pauli, le jeune, born in Antwerp in 1632, was a miniature painter who became a member of the guild in 1654 and exhibited his work there until 1686. Another possibility for the monogram "A. P." may be Jean Antoine Pauli, a painter and engraver who died in 1630. He made prints after Villamena, Raphael, and Guido Reni.[4]
Notes
- This book is in the Library of Congress. See Jean Puget de La Serre's, Histoire curieuse de tout ce qui c'est passé a l'entrée de la reyne mère du roy tres chrestien dans les villes des Pays-Bas. Anwerp: Impr. Plantinienne de B. Moretus, 1632. Rare Book and Special Collections Division. Rosenwald Collection. DC122.9.M3.L3. [back to article]
- Other examples of his work can be seen in F. W. H. Hollstein, Dutch and Flemish etchings, engravings, and woodcuts, ca. 1450-1700. Amsterdam: M. Hertzberger, 1949-<2003>. Prints and Photographs Division. LC call number: NE663.H6. See vol. 17, under Pauli. A search through the monogrammists in vol. 13 of Hollstein did not offer any works similar to the Miller print for artists with the initials "A. P." A less likely candidate may be Pauli's son, Andries Pauli, le jeune, born in Antwerp in 1632, who was a miniaturist painter. A final possibility may be Jean Antoine Pauli or Paulis, a painter and engraver, no nationality given in Bénézit, who died in 1630. There were no examples of the work of the last two artists in Hollstein. [back to article]
- See Note 1. [back to article]
- See Bénézit for biographies of Andries Pauli the elder, his son, and Jean Antoine Pauli, and to compare the initials of the younger Andries Pauli and those of Jean Antoine Pauli with the initials on Drei Flötenspieler (Three Flute Players). [back to article]