Караваджоның «Музыканттар» картинасы

Painting by Caravaggio

The Musicians or Concert of Youths (c. 1595) is a painting by the Italian Baroque master Michelangelo Merisi da Caravaggio (1571–1610). The work was commissioned by Cardinal Francesco Maria del Monte, who had an avid interest in music. Cardinal del Monte's impact on Caravaggio's artistic career during its early stages has been heavily studied due to his significant involvement as a supporter. This painting disappeared at one point in time and the whereabouts were unknown. According to the catalog entry at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, a museum benefactor, Jacob S. Rogers purchased it from a house sale in 1952. It is now held in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, where it has been since 1952. It underwent extensive restoration in 1983. This was one of Caravaggio's more challenging compositions and the artist placed the four figures closely together within the small space of the canvas—the placement of the figures in the composition display a relaxed front and back formation of the male subjects.

Cupid is often referred to as an allegory for love, for this piece his presence conveys him as absent minded while picking at his grapes. Perhaps this is an indication of Cupid's need for sustenance and a possible message about the center figure's need for love. The figures are painted sitting closely together to create an intimate setting but this also provides a personal perspective for the viewer. The central figure with the lute has been identified as Caravaggio's companion Mario Minniti, and the individual next to him and facing the viewer is possibly a self portrait of the artist. Caravaggio believed in the concept of "ritrarre dal naturale," or painting from life, rather than using the intellect or idea as inspiration Caravaggio often painted natural looking figures from everyday life instead of idealized figures from the imagination. The notion that experiencing various moods through music can promote emotional stability and overall well being was widely held at this time. This is important in the painting; the mood and emotions conveyed on the face of the centered figure speaks largely to the importance of Baroque music.

During the COVID 19 pandemic, the museum began a skylight replacement project that resulted in gallery closures, in response the Met loaned major works from the European collection, including 'The Musicians', to Qagoma in an exhibition titled 'European Masterpieces'.