goltzius3 Hendrick Goltzius

The drawing presents a scene of leisurely courtship set within a lush, natural environment. A male figure, seated on a low stone ledge, is engaged in playing a lute. His posture suggests both concentration and enjoyment; his gaze directed towards the woman beside him. He wears a doublet with puffed sleeves and a cap adorned with what appears to be a feather or decorative element.
Beside him sits a female figure, her body angled slightly toward him. She holds an open book in her lap, but her attention seems more focused on the musician than on the text. Her attire is elaborate, featuring a high collar and sleeves gathered at the wrist. The folds of her dress are rendered with considerable detail, indicating a certain level of affluence or social standing.
The background is densely populated with foliage – trees, shrubs, and flowering plants – creating an atmosphere of secluded tranquility. Beyond this immediate foreground, glimpses of architectural elements – buildings and what appears to be a walled garden – suggest a cultivated landscape. Several figures are visible in the distance, engaged in activities that remain indistinct due to their small scale.
The artist employed hatching and cross-hatching techniques to create tonal variations and define form. The limited palette, achieved through varying degrees of pressure applied with the drawing tool, contributes to a sense of intimacy and immediacy. The composition is balanced, with the figures arranged in a triangular formation that draws the viewers eye towards their interaction.
Subtly, the scene conveys themes of courtship, music, learning, and the enjoyment of nature. The lute playing suggests an attempt at charming or wooing the woman, while her book might symbolize intellectual pursuits or refined sensibilities. The setting itself – a secluded garden – implies a private moment away from public scrutiny. There is a sense of idealized beauty and harmony present in the depiction, characteristic of artistic representations of courtly love during the period.