Harpsichord

Andreas Ruckers (I), 1627

This exceptionally small harpsichord sounds a fifth above normal pitch and is the only one of its kind to have survived. The Flemish Ruckers family, perhaps the most famous harpsichord makers of all time, produced instruments richly ornamented with paintings as well as with simpler printed paper decoration, like the one here. The soundboard is painted with floral and bird motifs in tempera.

Artwork typekeyboard instrument, stringed instrument, harpsichord
Object numberBK-2016-98-2
Dimensionsheight 92 cm x width 69.7 cm x depth 125.5 cm
Physical characteristicspoplar, spruce, oak, bone, ivory, paper, metal

Identification

Title(s)
Harpsichord
Object type
Object number
BK-2016-98-2

Creation

Creation
musical instrument maker: Andreas Ruckers (I), Antwerp
Dating
1627
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Material and technique

Physical description
poplar, spruce, oak, bone, ivory, paper, metal
Dimensions
height 92 cm x width 69.7 cm x depth 125.5 cm

Acquisition and rights

Credit line
On loan from the Gemeentemuseum Den Haag
Copyright
Public domain

Documentation

- Stefano Toffolo, 'Sul rapporto tra liuteria e iconografia in area veneto-lombarda tra Cinque e Seicento', Liuteria e musica strumentale a Brescia tra Cinque e Seicento: vol. 1: Sessione organologica, Salò, 5-6 ottobre 1990, ed. by Marco Biazzarini, Brescia: Fondazione civiltà bresciana, 1992, p. 45–61: 56
- Grant O'Brien, 'The authentic instruments from the workshops of Andreas Ruckers I and Andreas Ruckers II’, Mededelingen van het Ruckers-Genootschap 4 (1984), p. 61-68: 65
- John Henry van der Meer, 'A Flemish 'Quint' Harpsichord', The Galpin Society Journal 18 (Mar., 1965), p. 117-121
- John Koster, 'Toward the Reconstruction of the Ruckers’ Geometric Methods', Keilinstrumente aus der Werkstatt Ruckers zu Konzeption, Bauweise und Ravalement sowie Restaurierung und Konservierung, Bericht über die Internat. Konferenz vom 13-15.9.96 im Händel-Haus Halle, Halle: Händel-Haus, 1998, p. 22-47: 35
- Edwin M. Ripin, Denzil Wraight, G. Grant O'Brien, Howard Ferguson, John Caldwell, Howard Schott, William Dowd, 'Early keyboard instruments', The New Grove Musical Instruments Series, New York, London: Norton, 1989, p. 54
- Grant O’Brian, 'The Numbering System of Ruckers Instruments', Brussels Museum of Musical Instruments Bulletin 4 (1974), p. 75-89: p. 85, 87, afb. 14
- John Henry van der Meer, 'Die Geschichte der Zupfklaviere bis 1800: Ein Überblick', Kielklaviere: Cembali - Spinette - Virginale, Berlin: Staatliches Institut für Musikforschung Preußischer Kulturbesitz, 1991, p. 9-60: 28, afb. 5
- J.L. Broeckx, 'Muziek in de Zuidelijke Nederlanden in de 16de tot 18de eeuw', Algemene Geschiedenis der Nederlanden 9 (1981), p. 303-316: 312 met afb.
- Grant O'Brien, 'Les Ruckers d'Anvers: La vogue de leurs clavecins en Europe des XVIIe et XVIIIe siècles - Biographie, modèles et modification de deux clavecins a double clavier', La facture instrumentale européene: Suprématies nationales et enrichissement mutuel, Paris: Musée Instrumental du Conservatoire National Supérieur de Musique, 1985, p. 71–89: 74, 89
- Hessel Miedema, 'The city harpsichord of Amsterdam', Sweelinck studies: Proceedings of the International Sweelinck Symposium, Utrecht, 1999, Utrecht: Stichting Muziekhistorische Uitvoeringspraktijk, 2002, p. 225-247: 240-241, afb. 19
- Edward L. Kottick, George H. Lucktenberg, 'Early keyboard instruments in European museums', Bloomington: Indiana University Press, 1997, p. 160-161
- Maria Boxall, 'The Origins and Evolution of Diatonic Fretting', The Galpin Society Journal 54 (May 2001), p. 143-199: 164-165, 190
- Martin Elste, 'Nostalgische Musikmaschinen: Cembali im 20. Jahrhundert', Kielklaviere: Cembali - Spinette - Virginale, Berlin: Staatliches Institut für Musikforschung Preußischer Kulturbesitz, 1991, p. 239–277: 269

Persistent URL

To refer to this object, please use the following persistent URL:
https://id.rijksmuseum.nl/200367294