Mage of maestro Salinas in a series of portraits of outstanding spaniards (from Stroganov's book collection of scientific library of tomsk state univerity)

A series of portraits of outstanding Spaniards (1791) represented in the Spanish collection of Stroganov' patrimonial library is an urgent object of a research in respect of the solution of a task of disclosure the content of Stroganov's book collection which is stored in Scientific library of the Tomsk State University. The subject of this article is portrait of Francisco de Salinas (1513-1590) who was the famous music theorist of Spain of the 16th century, professor of Salamanca University. On the engraved portrait executed in 1798 by Raphael Esteve Vilella Salinas is represented playing organ. In the short biography of the musician accompanying a portrait it is reported that he lost eyesight at early age, but, despite it, he achieved success in studying of classic languages, mathematics, and music. Francisco de Salinas is recognized by modern science as one of the most eminent musical theorists of his time. Widely educated, having experience of twenty years' acquaintance to the Renaissance Italy, Salinas reached the peak of his creative activity at the Salamanca University where he taught music during the last 24 years of his life. Here in 1577 was published his work «De Musica libri sep-tem» containing theoretical bases of the musical disciplines taught by him and covering music philosophy questions, and practical aspects of musical art. Besides theoretical problems, Salinas was interested in folk music; he paid much attention to the analysis of melody and rhythmics of Spanish national songs. The author of this fundamental work acts as the theorist and the musician, the representative of humanistic thought of Spain. Musical compositions of Salinas have not survived to the present day, however it is known that his music, his playing organ and singing made an indelible impression on his listeners. The ode devoted to Salinas written by the outstanding poet Luis de Leon serves as the evidence of it. The creative heritage of Salinas remains urgent today. At Salamanca University the department of music which is engaged in training and promotion of musical art, and also in research of scientific and teaching activity of outstanding Salamanca professor is called by his name.

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