a wandering musician and his hurdy-gurdy, 17th century

The shape of a hurdy-gurdy can be seen on the back of this wandering musician from the 17th century. This instrument was often depicted by painters in the hands of the poor (Jérôme Bosch, Georges de la Tour). Towards the beginning of the eighteenth century, the hurdy-gurdy became popular again, particularly among the nobility. Leading musicians of the day composed chacones, minuets, sarabandes, etc. for the hurdy-gurdy.