Here's an interesting site for anyone who loves old instruments:
http://minim.ac.uk/
There are video and audio samples of some of the instruments, including some harpsichords, spinets and clavichords. Unfortunately the only piano sample at the moment is a very brief extract played on a 1767 square piano. Maybe they will eventually upload some more audio, including pianos!
Moddart have a good collection of modelled vintage instruments. Deserve a place in that page.
I wanto to find out what kind of instrument this angel is playing in this paint. Looks like a very compact organ.
That's a beautiful painting, do you know who the artist is?
The instrument that the angel is playing looks a bit like a Chinese sheng with a little keyboard. Very intriguing. I have an idea that it may be called a Regal, but I would have to check up on that.
You're absolutely right about Modartt's historical instruments, they are superb!
Update: the instrument is either a Portative Organ or a Regal. Both were small organs that could be carried around, but the regal used reeds instead of, or in addition to, the flutes. The design of the instrument in the picture may have been copied from a Medieval illustration, or it could be of the artist's own invention based on a description. I just noticed the pedestal in the bottom left corner with the inscription '(something) 1881', which almost certainly would make the artist one of the Pre-Raphaelites, but I have no idea which one.
I guess the keyboard instrument played here is very likely a portative organ.
You often see that kind of instrument in paintings of that style:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Portative_organ
The Yale Collection of Musical Instruments has many keyboard (and other) historical instruments, available online for virtual listening and viewing. The Collection also provides regular live streaming of concerts and recitals featuring instruments in the collection.
Tim
That's a beautiful painting, do you know who the artist is?
This is French academic painter William-Adolphe Bouguereau's Le chant des anges. His style is generally considered neoclassical and not pre-raphaelite as such.
Like said forum member Davey Jones, it's a painting from William Adople Bouguereau.
There is about 3 or more versions made by hinself. One large scale, one about 1/2 scale looking nearly identical to the large version, one color study in reduced size, ...and this one with only the angels but not Mary... I'm not sure if it's a digital rendering, a modificated copy by another artist, or some version made Bouguereau hinself.
The portable organ it's probably corret. It painted in side perspective, but we can see it's very close and have the tuber, near the neck of the angel.
Look the position of the shoulder and the hand of the angel with the portative organ. I have the impression that for his hand be in such position would be umprobable that his shoulder would be in so relaxed angle.
That's a beautiful painting, do you know who the artist is?
The instrument that the angel is playing looks a bit like a Chinese sheng with a little keyboard. Very intriguing. I have an idea that it may be called a Regal, but I would have to check up on that.
You're absolutely right about Modartt's historical instruments, they are superb!Update: the instrument is either a Portative Organ or a Regal. Both were small organs that could be carried around, but the regal used reeds instead of, or in addition to, the flutes. The design of the instrument in the picture may have been copied from a Medieval illustration, or it could be of the artist's own invention based on a description. I just noticed the pedestal in the bottom left corner with the inscription '(something) 1881', which almost certainly would make the artist one of the Pre-Raphaelites, but I have no idea which one.
That hand position on the keyboard is very odd. The hand seems to be coming from somewhere else - maybe it's a disembodied hand like the character in the Addams Family!
Something else to notice: the angel in the foreground playing the viola-like instrument has a very awkward playing position and unorthodox left hand technique (and perhaps an impossibly short forearm). But in spite of the oddities, it's still a lovely painting. Thanks for the info on the artist.
Like said forum member Davey Jones, it's a painting from William Adople Bouguereau.
There is about 3 or more versions made by hinself. One large scale, one about 1/2 scale looking nearly identical to the large version, one color study in reduced size, ...and this one with only the angels but not Mary... I'm not sure if it's a digital rendering, a modificated copy by another artist, or some version made Bouguereau hinself.
The portable organ it's probably corret. It painted in side perspective, but we can see it's very close and have the tuber, near the neck of the angel.
Look the position of the shoulder and the hand of the angel with the portative organ. I have the impression that for his hand be in such position would be umprobable that his shoulder would be in so relaxed angle.
Since we have no X-ray of an angel, very little is known about their anatomy, perhaps the interaction between the shoulder and the wing allows this unlikely angle.