An anonymous picture of a 24-piece Baroque chamber orchestra has
been sold at auction in Brussels. Dating from around 1770, the
large-scale pen-and-ink drawing is said to include an early
depiction of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart.
Measuring 46 x 59cm, the drawing is notable for reproducing the
sheet music so precisely that the key and time signatures can be
identified. It also gives an idea of the number of musicians each
sharing a music stand, the double bassist’s performing style, and
how the groups of instruments were arranged. The figure assumed to
be Mozart is standing to the left of the harpsichord, on which is
inscribed the Latin motto Audi vide et tace si vis vivere in
pace (‘Listen, see, and be silent if you wish to live in
peace’).
Formerly part of a private collection, the work was bought by the
Salzburg Mozarteum Foundation. It can be seen until the end of
October at part of an exhibition of pictures of the composer at the
Mozart-Wohnhaus in Salzburg.
The full picture, along with further details, can be found
here.
Image: © Internationale Stiftung Mozarteum
No comments yet