Highland Music c. 19th century

Curator: The etching, "Highland Music," by Henry Beckwith, shows a piper playing to a pack of dogs in a humble dwelling. It's currently held at the Harvard Art Museums. Editor: The somber tones create a somewhat melancholic mood, heightened by the dogs' expressions and the piper's solitary stance. Curator: The work presents a fascinating glimpse into the socio-cultural history of the Scottish Highlands and its romanticized representations. Beckwith's choice to depict this rustic scene, with dogs as the primary audience, raises questions about class, cultural identity, and the role of music in marginalized communities. Editor: Yes, and the absence of humans, save for the piper, makes one consider who has access to leisure, and who is excluded. What commentary does this artwork make on the role of animals, especially in a society stratified by class and labor? Curator: Indeed, considering that the Highlands were subject to significant social and economic changes, with clan structures being dismantled and land ownership concentrated in fewer hands, this image offers a point of reflection on societal shifts. Editor: It certainly encourages a deeper look at cultural expression and its connection to social justice. I appreciate the quiet resistance it represents.