Man playing the violoncello

Charles Samuel Keene 1823 - 1891

Summary

In this print all of the viewer's attention is drawn towards the man seated playing the violoncello as there are no other details apart from him as he is depicted against a plain, shadowed background. He appears to be wearing period dress as he has a long coat, which falls down behind him on the right hand side, a waistcoat, a cravat tied around his neck, a pair of pantaloons which are tied in a bow just below his knee, and he has long curly hair which falls over his shoulders. He is seated facing to the left, and only his left leg is visible as his right leg is hidden behind the violoncello which rests upon it. In his left hand he delicately holds the bow to the strings and with his right hand he forms the different chords. Rather than looking at the viewer all of the man's attention is on his instrument as he turns his head away from the viewer so he can look at what chords he is playing. From the print series 'Twenty-one Etchings' by Charles S. Keene. Printed by Frederick Goulding (1842–1909) and published by Astolat Press (Guildford, Surrey).