the.com/lute
the medieval rock star's instrument, all curves and zero chill about staying in tune
tuning curseLutenists spent half their lives tuning, half playing
word originFrom Arabic al-oud, meaning the wood
string countLater baroque lutes had up to 24 strings
fragile bodyThin wood bowl back, easily cracked or warped
painted prestigeRenaissance artists obsessed over it in still lifes