Gherardi 'Filles errantes' illus 1700

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Comment by Scot Tremblay on September 10, 2013 at 4:44

I found a page online where it's a little easier to see the details.

It's interesting to note that the six "guitarists" are in costume (some, maybe all, are in mask) while the six musicians in the background appear to be in period dress with frock coats, powered wigs, stockings etc. I thought at first that the guitarist to the back right might be part of the band (real musicians) but looking at the larger photo it's clear he is part of the troupe of actor/musicians.

The costume and masks just adds to my supposition that the guitars are props (probably not playing instruments) designed to compliment the fanciful costumes of the performers.

It would be interesting to read the play but, although I can find a copy online, my French isn't good enough and I cannot find an English translation.

Comment by Thomas Heck on September 10, 2013 at 3:47

I appreciate your thoughts, Scot, and I would add that the idea of an entire troupe of commedia dell'arte actors coming out on stage to sing songs, all of them with guitars to accompany themselves, might have happened, but they could have been playing props rather than real instruments. I see a small band of real musicians playing at the back of the stage, and that's where the real music was probably coming from. I haven't actually read the play, so it's possible we will learn more if and when the play is examined. A any rate, it seems that a musical ensemble number like this could have occurred, very possibly with faux guitares.

Comment by Scot Tremblay on September 9, 2013 at 7:45

I don't think I've ever seen a baroque guitar with the head back at that great of an angle. I believe there are one or two extant examples of later guitars with the pegs through the side like that but I doubt they were common.

 

There seems to be a number of "artistic license" elements in this engraving. Instrument shapes, soundhole placement, playing position...I tend not to accept many "truths" in these old engravings. I think they can give a general overview of the subject depicted but the finer details are usually suspect.

 

My guess would be that the guitars were imagined by the artist/engraver or if they did exist as we see them that they were from the imagination of the prop department. The play is a comedy so it's likely many things on stage would have been fanciful and/or exaggerated.