
Clown with Lute
1623 · Louvre, Paris
Caught mid-strum with his cap askew and his mouth open, painted so fast the brushstrokes still seem to be moving.
★ 5.4

Caught mid-strum with his cap askew and his mouth open, painted so fast the brushstrokes still seem to be moving.

He raises his glass and talks straight at you, painted in slashing strokes laid down about as fast as the moment they catch.

He is neither laughing nor a cavalier. The lace and gold thread on that sleeve were flicked on in a few confident strokes.