Harpsichord

Practically nothing is known about the maker of this instrument. The name suggests Salò on lake Garda as a place of origin. Most Italian harpsichords have a very thin casing made of cypress wood, favourable for resonance. However, the instruments had to be put into a solid outer casing, especially for transport. These protective cases were largely plain on the outside, though the inner side of the lid often displayed painting of a high artistic quality. Here, two old panel paintings have been cut to size and fitted to form the case. They are connected by a hinge and make up the front and upper part of the lid. The pictorial motive on the upper lid is taken from ancient mythology and tells the story of Apollo and Marsyas. (rh/ah)

Lit.:Victor Luithlen: Kunsthistorisches Museum. Katalog der Sammlung alter Musikinstrumente. Teil 1. Saitenklaviere, Wien 1966.Rudolf Hopfner: Masterpieces from the Collection of Historic Musical Instruments. A Short Guide through the Kunsthistorisches Museum Vienna, Vol. 1, Vienna 2019