Oboe d’amore

anonymous, c. 1730

In the early 18th century, the Netherlands and Germany were the most important centres of the oboe industry. The oboe d’amore (oboe of love) is a mezzo-soprano oboe with a bulb bell at the foot that was probably invented in Leipzig, Germany. The famous composer Johann Sebastian Bach lived there between 1723 and 1750. If this instrument is known to us today, it is thanks to the beautiful solos for the oboe d’amore in Bach’s cantatas.

  • Artwork typewind instrument, musical instrument, oboe
  • Object numberBK-2018-11
  • Dimensionslength 61.6 cm x diameter 2.7 cm x diameter 6.1 cm

Identification

  • Title(s)

    Oboe d’amore

  • Object type

  • Object number

    BK-2018-11

  • Description

    Hobo d'amore van palmhout met drie messing kleppen met ronde plaatjes. Het derde en vierde gat zijn dubbel.

Creation

  • Creation

    musical instrument maker: anonymous, Germany

  • Dating

    c. 1730

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Material and technique

  • Dimensions

    length 61.6 cm x diameter 2.7 cm x diameter 6.1 cm

Acquisition and rights

  • Credit line

    Gift Han de Vries Collection, Amsterdam

  • Acquisition

    gift 2018-03-12

  • Copyright

    Public domain

Documentation

    • Giovanni Paolo Di Stefano, 'The Rijksmuseum to acquire and display the Han De Vries collection of oboes', CIMCIM Bulletin, Jan. 2019, p. 22-24
    • Giovanni Paolo Di Stefano, ‘The Rijksmuseum’s Remarkable Collection of Oboes’, The Double Reed 49, 2021, no. 2, p. 92-127: 110-111, 119, fig. 17

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  • Oboe d’amore
  • Oboe d’amore