Style of Pieter Claesz .: Still Life with Musical Instruments (Hill Music Room)

Although we do not know the name of the artist who painted this picture, it seems to date from about 1650 and shows a number of 17 th century instruments including a violin. It is interesting to note that the neck of the violin in the painting goes straight into the body but all the violins in the Hill Collection have necks which are slightly tilted. At one time, the neck was always lined up with the body but in the 19 th century, violins were made with longer necks, tilted upwards towards the bridge and older violins were altered to match the modern style. If you look closely at the point where the neck of the Messiah joins the body, you will see where a piece of wood had been inserted to lengthen and tilt the neck. Originally, violins were supported against the neck or shoulder when played. The cheek rest, now fitted on all modern violins, was a later addition and is not found on any of the instruments in the Ashmolean.