Music box. Switzerland, XIX century

Music box. Switzerland, XIX century.
Polychrome metal.
With key.
Functioning.
Measurements: 3 x 9 x 5,5 cm.

This music box, whose mechanism denotes the Swiss mastery in this type of mechanical works, sees its upper lid embellished with a typically Dutch tavern scene. This genre, which was created in early Baroque Flanders by the masters Adriaen Brouwer (1605 - 1638) and David Teniers (1610 - 1690), soon came to Holland. As its name suggests, these are scenes set in taverns, called costumbrista works for showing the common customs of the common people of the time, with a variety of styles important, but always maintaining both the theme and a clear preference for an earthy palette. Influenced by the two masters mentioned above, the painter who creates this type of work usually works an interior space with a very refined chromatic range, based on earthy and ochre tones, typical of early Baroque naturalism. In terms of style, these painters would normally be close to Teniers (more detailed works; precise, loose but short brushstrokes, defining the forms and qualities of figures and objects, without downplaying the importance of drawing), or Brower (more caricatured style, and brushstrokes and forms different from those of Teniers).