Artwork

Violin Player with a Wine Glass

Violin Player with a Wine Glass, by Dirck van Baburen, oil, 1623
Violin Player with a Wine Glass, by Dirck van Baburen, oil, 1623

Violin Player with a Wine Glass is an oil painting by the Dutch Golden Age artist Dirck van Baburen. It dates from 1623 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.

About this work

Subject & Meaning

As a portrait genre work, the piece functions both as a likeness of an individual performer and as a visual celebration of artistic and social leisure.

The painting presents a solitary musician seated with a violin and a wine glass, identified as a violinist in the composition. The inclusion of the instrument alongside a glass of wine constitutes the iconographic elements that scholars have interpreted as references to music and conviviality within Dutch genre painting of the early 17th century. As a portrait genre work, the piece functions both as a likeness of an individual performer and as a visual celebration of artistic and social leisure.

The depiction reflects the cultural context of the Netherlands circa 1623, where music and wine were commonly associated with festive gatherings.

Technique & Style

Created in 1623, Violin Player with a Wine Glass is an oil-on-canvas painting by the Dutch artist Dirck van Baburen. Executed during the artist's time in the Netherlands, the work measures 31.625 inches in height by 26.4375 inches in width. As a portrait genre piece, the medium consists of oil paint applied to a canvas support.

The composition depicts a violinist holding a wine glass, reflecting the artist's engagement with portraiture and genre scenes typical of his short career. The painting is currently held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art, where its physical dimensions and material composition are documented as part of its accession record.

History & Provenance

Dirck van Baburen painted Violin Player with a Wine Glass in 1623 while working in the Dutch Republic. The work, executed in oil on canvas, measures approximately 31.6 × 26.4 cm and portrays a musician holding a glass of wine. Its subject matter aligns with the portrait genre common in early‑17th‑century Dutch art.

The painting entered the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art, where it has been catalogued under the accession number 2018.25. Documentation from the museum confirms its provenance as a single‑owner work that has remained in the institution since acquisition.

The painting Violin Player with a Wine Glass by Dirck van Baburen is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art, located in Cleveland. The work, executed in oil on canvas in 1623, is identified within the museum's records by the accession number 2018.25. While the available documentation confirms its current institutional home and inventory classification, no specific details regarding past exhibitions or a detailed provenance history prior to its acquisition are provided in the source material.

Overview

Dirck van Baburen's Violin Player with a Wine Glass, painted in 1623, is an oil on canvas work depicting a single figure. The composition presents a man engaged with both a musical instrument and a drink, suggesting a moment of performance or revelry. This painting is part of the collection at The Cleveland Museum of Art.

Young man with a violin
Young man with a violin, Jan Kupecký

Artist & collection

Portrait of Dirck van Baburen

Artist

Dirck van Baburen

Dirck van Baburen (1595–1624) was an artist, born in Wijk bij Duurstede.

Studied in the Caravaggio & Baroque course
This work is in the public domain (CC0). Image source: Cleveland Museum of Art open access. Spotted an error in this record? Tell us.

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Frequently asked questions

Who painted Violin Player with a Wine Glass?

Violin Player with a Wine Glass was painted by Dirck van Baburen in 1623-01-01.

Where can I see Violin Player with a Wine Glass?

Violin Player with a Wine Glass is held by Cleveland Museum of Art.

What movement is Violin Player with a Wine Glass?

Violin Player with a Wine Glass is associated with Dutch Golden Age.

Can I buy a print of Violin Player with a Wine Glass?

Museum-quality prints of Violin Player with a Wine Glass are available made-to-order from Artifact World Gallery.