Abraham Bloemaert (after), The Musette Player, Print, Chez Basset In Paris, 18th Century

The musette player, in Paris at Basset's, rue Saint Jacques in Sainte Geneviève, after Abraham Bloemaert, print on laid paper, 18th century. A charming example of this popular subject, close to caricature, in the colorful spirit of 17th-century Nordic painting, framed by a stick known as "à la Bérain." The character depicted is a player of a "court musette," also known as a baroque musette, an instrument now forgotten but then widely used until the 18th century in Western classical music: one might think of some famous tunes by Rameau in Les Indes Galantes or Hippolyte et Aricie. There are restorations, some pitting, and wear. A very decorative ensemble nonetheless. The Basset workshop was established throughout the 18th century and survived the revolutionary unrest, continuing its activity in the 19th century. It is precisely documented, and constitutes one of the most important Parisian "print and wallpaper dealers" in the 18th century, located at 64 rue Saint Jacques, at the corner of the now disappeared rue des Mathurins, in the current Sorbonne/Panthéon district. The production of the Basset, father and son (André then Paul-André), was directed in the 18th century essentially towards the edition of prints of a religious nature; this copy with a secular subject is therefore a bit of an exception in their preferred corpus. Overall dimensions: 37.5x29cm On view: 22.5x32cm