The School of Delft

The amorous relationship in a contemporary setting was among the most interesting themes developed by the school of Delft. Until then, love between man and woman was conveyed only through the representation of biblical or historical stories which inevitably had a strong moral, ethical or religious overtone. Delft painters instead, addressed the problem of particular living individuals in love. We find young couples who belong to a refined  upper middle class represented  engaged discretely in music making which itself was associated with love and passion.  The spinet, oriental  carpet, black and white floor tiles and the ebony frames are to be found in many paintings of this period.

The description of the painting fits both A Lady Seated at the Virginals and A Lady Standing at the Virginals , both in the National Gallery of London. Which ever one the painting was, the other was in the collection of the immensely rich Antwerp banker Diego Duarte.