Consonance of Sounds and Colours

A thematic exhibition "The Consonance of Sounds and Colours" is on show in the Fine Arts Reading Room (room 306) from August 25 to September 22.

Since ancient times, music has been associated with the visual arts, and Leonardo da Vinci called it "the sister of painting". Musical metaphors are often used in relation to the work of many artists, which describe the "singsong quality" of the picture, the "resonance" and "dimness" of colours, the "melodic" lines, the lyricism of the general emotional "sound". Colours and lines create a certain "musical" rhythm and unique harmony.

Artists from different historical periods have addressed the theme of music in their works. There are many paintings depicting musicians and musical instruments. They not only create an idea of the cultural life of the period but also carry a symbolic, lyrical or philosophical meaning.

Images of musical instruments date back to ancient times. Medieval frescoes and icons with angels playing music replace antique paintings with figures of musicians playing the avlos and citharas. Real "angelic concerts" with flutes, lutes, harps, trombones and viols were found on the paintings of the Renaissance period. The exhibition displays albums on the history of the art of the Ancient World, the Middle Ages and reproductions of the works of the great masters of the Renaissance.

The plots associated with the image of the music in lyrical and everyday scenes are becoming very popular in the Baroque era. The reproductions of Caravaggio, Honthorst, Hals and other masters presented in the exposition are a detailed panorama of the psychology of an Early modern period person – a person who plays and enjoys life. The lute, violin, baroque guitar, viola da gamba were widely used in the paintings of that era.

Musical images have long been associated with love. The language of music helped to express what could not be said in words. Watteau's works illustrate this, he was an artist of the "Fete galante". The heroes of the French painter's paintings are most often shown holding a guitar.

Plots of home music concerts are often found in the painting of the 19th century Family scenes with playing the piano or guitar in the works of the French impressionist Renoir are imbued with special warmth of the cheerful palette.

Part of the exhibition is dedicated to the art of the 20th century. Picasso, Matisse, Dali and other artists depict musical instruments in their own individual manner. The works of Marc Chagall deserve special attention. The theme of music accompanied the artist throughout his life. Bizarre images of musicians and string instruments often appear on his canvases. Bakst noted that even Chagall's colours “can sing”.

The exhibition displays books, illustrated encyclopaedias and albums, reproductions and postcards. Musical images in them are associated with such essential concepts as love, life, inspiration, consolation, beauty and harmony.

The opening hours of the exhibition correspond to the library’s opening hours.
Admission is by the library card or by the Social and Cultural Centre ticket.

For more info: (+375 17) 293 27 53.

Special Collections Service Department.