Formerly called the Second Withdrawing Room or the Green Velvet Room, the State Music Room was the result of changes made by the 6th Duke of Devonshire in the 1820s. It is part of a sequence of adjoining rooms, known collectively as the State Apartments, established by the 1st Duke of Devonshire when he extensively remodelled Chatsworth in the late 17th century.
The 6th Duke inserted a central door on the wall opposite the windows, connecting the space to a new gallery he had created behind.
One of Chatsworth’s most famous works of art, the trompe l’oeil painting of a violin hanging on a door, was placed inside the new opening in 1836. Painted by Jan van der Vaardt (c.1653-1727), it survived the disastrous fire that destroyed old Devonshire House, the family’s London residence in Piccadilly.
The stamped and gilded leather that covers the walls replaced 18th century green velvet, which originally decorated the room. Different generations of the family have either liked or disliked the leather, and in the early 20th century, Duchess Evelyn covered it over with green fabric hangings.
In the frieze at the top of the wall, the 6th Duke had his portrait set in repeating roundels, something he later
regretted, considering it to be too vain.
Today, the room celebrates the 6th Duke’s influence, bringing together much of the furniture by, or in the manner of, André-Charles Boulle (1642-1732). Boulle was a French cabinet maker who worked for Louis XIV, King of France. His distinctive technique of decorating the surface of furniture with veneers of pewter, brass, turtle shell and gilt bronze mounts enjoyed a revival in the 19th century when the 6th Duke was redecorating Chatsworth. Some of the pieces have been in the collection since they were made, others he purchased as antiques.
Many of the Italian paintings here were in the collection of the 3rd Earl of Burlington and formed part of the 5th Duke’s inheritance. To the left of the violin door is 'Blind Belisarius Receiving Alms' attributed to Luciano Borzone (1590-1645), and on its right, 'Acis and Galatea' by Luca Giordano (1634-1705).
The Countess of Burlington probably acquired 'The Three Musicians' by Valentin de Boulogne (1591-1632), influenced by Caravaggio.
