|
Double Manual Flemish Harpsichord by Kevin Fryer, San Francisco 1999
After Johannes Ruckers, Antwerp 1624 (the “Colmar Ruckers”)
This instrument is a recreation of an existing 17th century Flemish harpsichord
built by Johannes Ruckers in Antwerp, 1624. The original instrument belonged to
the famous de Sade family until the 1970s at which time it was acquired by the
Musee D’Unterlinden in Colmar, France, hence its name, The Colmar Ruckers.
The soundboard painting executed by Margrit Häberlin is a faithful copy of the
original. The overall visual treatment is a collaborative effort between
Kevin Fryer (the instrument maker), the person who commissioned the instrument,
and myself. Since the original instrument was re-decorated in the early 19th
century, we decided to come up with a visual scheme more closely related to early
17th century sensibilities. The designs which surround the exterior of the case are
original, but are based on the work of a 16th century Antwerp artist named Joris Hoefnagel.
An enormous cultural shift was occurring at that time, as people began to
abandon superstition in favor of scientific explanations of the known
world. We therefore included depictions of fantastic creatures such as
snails with moth’s wings and serpents with bird’s heads alongside
realistic renderings of tulips, berries and insects. Finally, Kevin Fryer
applied a crackle varnish to imitate the warm patina that sometimes occurs
on old pieces of furniture.
The inside of the lid is painted with a simple red-on-red diaper pattern,
covered by a highly reflective glaze, which reflects the soundboard painting
when the lid is open.
The elaborate table stand is an original design by Kevin Fryer, which incorporates
classic elements of 17th century Dutch and Flemish furniture. The wide moulding of
the stand and the stretchers at the base of the stand are also decorated with painted
designs of the period.
|
