Bagpipe Player “Hearing”

Further versions of the painting from the former Viennese Czernin collection exist in Vienna (Gemäldegalerie der Akademie der bildenden Künste, inv. no. 825) and London (Buckingham Palace). They demonstrate the popularity of “five senses” series; “hearing” is personified here by the bagpiper.
A light source from the left illuminates the face, right side and bagpipes of the musician who has paused for a minute in the centre of the picture. The mouthpiece of the instrument is unused. There is a striking change from the rougher brushwork in his face to the fine painting where the chanter emerges from the airbag. The red cap of the peasant peering at a piece of paper in the shadowy half of the picture forms a pleasing contrast to the bagpiper’s blue coat.

DUCKE Astrid: Teniers David II. the Younger, Bagpiper "Hearing", in: DUCKE Astrid, HABERSATTER Thomas, OEHRING Erika: Masterworks. Residenzgalerie Salzburg. Salzburg 2015, p. 86