Oboe c. 1720 - 1730

This is an oboe, made by Frederik Richters, who lived between 1693 and 1765. The oboe invites us to consider the narratives embedded in musical instruments. In the 18th century, a time of expanding global trade, objects like this oboe weren't just instruments; they were carriers of cultural values, reflective of social status. Who played this oboe? What kind of music filled the spaces where it was played? Did it amplify the voices of the powerful, or did its melodies carry the whispers of resistance? As we consider its polished surface and carefully crafted holes, we might think about how it served as an instrument of cultural expression and social identity. We can imagine how the sounds from this oboe resonated in the spaces of its time, carrying stories of love, loss, celebration, and reflection. As you reflect on it, consider the sounds and stories it might tell.