Carl Friedrich Abel
c. 1777 Tate, London
About this artwork
This painting is a portrait of Carl Friedrich Abel, a renowned German composer and master of the viola da gamba, painted by Thomas Gainsborough. Abel is depicted in fashionable 18th-century attire, holding his instrument.
Did you know?
Carl Friedrich Abel was a celebrated German composer and a virtuoso of the viola da gamba, an instrument that was already considered somewhat old-fashioned during his lifetime. He was a close friend and collaborator of Johann Christian Bach, organizing the famous Bach-Abel concerts in London, which played a significant role in establishing public concert traditions. This portrait by Gainsborough beautifully captures the refined essence of this important musical figure.
Know the artwork. Knowing its title and artist turns a beautiful image into a story worth sharing — with a museum label:
Carl Friedrich Abel
Thomas Gainsborough, c. 1777
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