Who painted A Young Man Playing a Psalterium?

A Young Man Playing a Psalterium was painted by Christoffel van Sichem I in 1600.

Where can I see A Young Man Playing a Psalterium?

A Young Man Playing a Psalterium is held by National Gallery of Art.

What movement is A Young Man Playing a Psalterium?

A Young Man Playing a Psalterium is associated with Renaissance.

Can I buy a print of A Young Man Playing a Psalterium?

Museum-quality prints of A Young Man Playing a Psalterium are available made-to-order from Artifact World Gallery.

Artwork

A Young Man Playing a Psalterium

Christoffel van Sichem I , 1600

A Young Man Playing a Psalterium is an ink print by the Renaissance artist Christoffel van Sichem I. It dates from 1600 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.

Inscription: Inscribed:upper left in block: HG / CVSichem. / Scalp. et. / excub.; by later hand, lower right verso in graphite: 17 (twice); by later hand, lower center verso in graphite: DTMMLHAX; by later hands, lower left verso in graphite: P / No 4 / A20286

About this work

Overview

Christoffel van Sichem I’s woodcut, dated around 1600, portrays a young man engaged with a psalterium, a plucked string instrument. Executed on laid paper, the print is part of the National Gallery of Art’s collection in Washington, offering a compact glimpse of early‑17th‑century printmaking.

Subject & Meaning

The central figure, attired in typical Renaissance garb, a hat, cloak, and formal posture, concentrates on his music, suggesting a focus on artistic discipline. Two women observe him from the background, one holding a mask, hinting at themes of performance, perhaps alluding to the interplay between music and theatrical masquerade.

Technique & Style

The work exemplifies the fine line work characteristic of Dutch woodcut practice, with careful hatching that renders the folds of clothing, the texture of the column, and the delicate details of the instrument. The use of laid paper provides a subtle tonal variation that enhances the depth of the architectural setting.

Context

Printed during the transition from the Renaissance to the early Baroque, the image reflects contemporary interest in classical architecture and the revival of ancient musical instruments. The inclusion of a mask aligns with the period’s fascination with courtly entertainments and the symbolic role of disguise in art.

Legacy

Van Sichem’s print contributes to the broader corpus of Northern European prints that disseminated Renaissance aesthetics across Europe. Its preservation in a major museum underscores the enduring scholarly interest in the intersection of music, costume, and print culture of the early 1600s.