Architectural Photographer
The instrument described is a clavichord.
Although not very popular nowadays, it was important between the 15th and the 19th century. In popular music, variations of it can be found in songs by artists such as Stevie Wonder and Bjork, but they mostly used the electric version of the instrument.
I do not know his goals but I know several accomplishments. He painted the Mona Lisa, he created an alarm clock that yanked your feet up to wake you up, he invented bicycles, and he created a metal lion to please the king.