Women having a terrible time listening to music in Western art

There's always a guy at a party with a guitar. And it seems it was ever thus…

1. 

   1. Helen he's going to start playing

   'Concert in a Park', 18th century. Artist: Nicolas Lancret Picture: Getty

2. 

   2. Perhaps I'll disappear into the table

   The Lute Player, 1661. Artist: Sorgh, Hendrik Maertensz (c. 1610-1670)

3. 

   3. Mm. That's really interesting

   'A Young Woman playing a Harpsichord', c1659. Artist: Jan Steen. Picture: Getty

4. 

   4. Are you going to bring the lute on all our dates?

   From 'Hortus Voluptatum', a set of prints by Crispin de Passe (1550 - 1643). Picture: Getty

5. 

   5. Can I play you this song I wrote?

   'Venus and the Lute Player', c1565-1570. Artist: Titian Picture: Getty

7. 

   6. Right. From the top

   Martin Luther with his family by Gustav Spengenber

8. 

   7. This is how you play it

   The Scale of Love (La Gamme d'Amour), 1715-1716. Artist: Watteau, Jean Antoine (1684-1721)

9. 

   8. I liked it almost as much as the previous four

   Chatelar Playing the Lute to Mary Queen of Scots, 1560s, (1860). Artist: JC Armytage Picture: Getty

10. 

    9. Can you walk a little further away?

    Serenade during the carnival in Venice. Illustration. Picture: Getty

Latest on Classic FM