Flemish/Dutch Style Decorations by Keith Hill

Treasure Chest Decoration

The "Treasure Chest" decoration shown here can be found on the Ruckers single in the Yale Collection in New Haven, Conn. and on the Ahaus Ruckers in Westphalia,in Germany, beneath the Chinoiserie decoration applied over it. The front flap of the lid is painted in the manner of De Heem, while the larger portion of the lid is done after Mömper.

Tromp l'oeil Paneling Decoration

The lid on this instrument is also inspired by Mömper. The trompe l'oeil paneling is inspired by a harpsichord by J.P. Bull of Antwerp in the late 18th century.

Flemish Soundboard Decoration

This soundboard painting is after the typical Ruckers soundboard decorations. The cartoony character gives this style its charm and whimsy. The arabesques are the opposite. They are precise and intricate but quickly done.

Tromp l'oeil "Guilded Carvings" Decoration

The original decoration which this instrument is intended to be a copy of is on the Couchet harpsichord standing in the New York Metropolitan Museum of Art. It is, without doubt, the greatest decorational design ever. It is a tour de force of the art of tromp l'oeil. I have seen other tromp l'oeil which is more successful at fooling the eye, but none has ever provided the joy of seeing which this particular decoration gives. It is incredibly fun to look at. And that, after all is the purpose of decoration...filling empty spaces with stuff that is fun to look at.