The Music Room 1905 - 1906

Curator: The Tate collection holds this interesting piece by Philip Wilson Steer, called The Music Room. Editor: It feels very impressionistic, almost like a hazy memory. The texture of the dresses really stands out. Curator: Looking at the clothing, the dresses are a clear indication of the women’s social standing, and the musical instruments situate them within a world of leisure. Editor: I agree, but I also wonder about the instruments themselves. Were these women encouraged to practice instruments as a socially acceptable pastime rather than pursue a career? Curator: That's definitely part of it. The act of making music in such a setting, the construction of the gowns, it all speaks to the labor and materials needed for this upper-class lifestyle. Editor: Right, the painting invites us to consider not just the aesthetic experience, but also the societal structures at play. Curator: Precisely. It's about appreciating the artist's skill, and questioning what that skill helped to represent and perhaps, even, to perpetuate. Editor: A beautiful piece that opens to avenues of thought.