Concert Lorenzo Costa (1460-1535)

The composition presents a small group engaged in musical performance. Three figures dominate the scene: a woman on the left, a man centrally positioned playing a lute, and another man to the right seemingly singing along. The setting is stark; a dark, undefined background isolates the figures against a horizontal plane that serves as both table and compositional boundary.
The woman’s gaze is directed outward, her expression one of quiet contemplation rather than active participation in the music. Her posture is formal, hands clasped gently in her lap, suggesting a restrained elegance. The central figure, the lute player, holds his instrument with evident skill; his focus appears to be entirely on the performance itself. His brow is furrowed slightly, indicating concentration. The man on the right displays an animated expression, eyes closed and mouth open as if caught mid-note. This contrast in facial expressions contributes to a sense of dynamic interaction within the group.
Several objects are placed upon the horizontal plane: what appear to be drafting tools – compasses and a ruler – alongside a book, presumably containing musical notation. The presence of these instruments introduces an intriguing layer of meaning. They suggest not only music-making but also intellectual pursuits, perhaps alluding to the Renaissance interest in both artistic creation and scientific inquiry. The juxtaposition of musical performance with tools associated with measurement and design implies a connection between creative expression and rational order.
The overall effect is one of quiet intimacy and refined taste. The subdued color palette – dominated by browns, greens, and muted reds – further reinforces this sense of understated elegance. There’s an ambiguity to the scene; its unclear whether we are witnessing a private performance or a more formal occasion. This lack of explicit narrative allows for multiple interpretations, inviting viewers to contemplate the nature of music, art, and intellectual life during the period in which the work was created.