Design for Cabinet Pianoforte, Arabesque Style 1835 - 1900

This is a design for a cabinet pianoforte in the arabesque style, created by Robert William Hume. Though undated, the drawing speaks to the 19th-century culture of display and domesticity. The arabesque style flourished during the Victorian era, with its elaborate ornamentation and exotic references. Hume uses pencil and watercolor to render a vision of opulence and refinement, where the piano becomes a showpiece within the home. The design emphasizes ornate carvings and curvilinear forms, alluding to a sense of luxury. Such a piano would have required skilled labor, from cabinetmakers to artisans specializing in decorative detailing, reflecting the hierarchies of production typical of the period. Ultimately, Hume's design reveals the intimate relationship between artistic vision, material execution, and the social values of the time. It reminds us that even seemingly straightforward drawings offer insights into broader cultural narratives.