Viola d'Amore

Art Historical Context

Nestled in the Metropolitan Museum Art's collection of musical instruments, the *Viola d'Amore* crafted by Jean-Nicolas Lambert exemplifies the exquisite lutherie of late 18th-century France. Made entirely of wood, this bowed chordophone—classified as a lute-type unfretted instrument—measures 76.5 cm in total length, with a of 41 cm and a bowed string length of .7 cm. Lambert, a skilled Parisian maker, produced this piece during a golden age of string instrument design, when refinements in form and acoustics elevated music-making to an art form. The viola d'amore, beloved by composers like Vivaldi and Marais, stands out for its dual sets of strings: those bowed by the player and sympathetic strings that vibrate in harmony, creating a shimmering, ethereal tone. This French example reflects the Rococo era's elegance, with its graceful curves and varnished wood showcasing masterful joinery and tonal precision. Acquired in 1986 through the Roth Family Gift, it honors the legacy of Norman H. Roth and invites visitors to imagine intimate chamber concerts in Versailles salons. Today, such instruments reveal how craftsmanship intertwined with cultural life, bridging art and sound in Europe's Enlightenment courts.