Virginal by Ioannes Ruckers

Research project that will lead to the construction of a scientifically sound and playable reconstruction of an Antwerp virginal (a rectangular member of the harpsichord family) that was made in 1640 and is attributed to Ioannes Ruckers.

About the project

In the collection of the Koninklijk Oudheidkundig Genootschap (Royal Antiquarian Society) there is a virginal dated to 1640 that is attributed to Ioannes Ruckers. He belonged to a family of leading harpsichord makers. It still has its original stand and much of its original decoration, but it can no longer be played. Making it playable again would mean the replacement of original parts and therefore destroy too much of the history of the instrument. The original decoration is hidden beneath two later paint layers, which were undoubtedly added in order to modernize the look of the instrument's case. The harpsichord is being analyzed with a variety of scientific techniques so as to replicate the orginal instrument as closely as possible.