Division Viol 1660 - 1700

Editor: Here we have a Division Viol, crafted sometime between 1660 and 1700, made of wood by Richard Meares. It's currently housed at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. I'm immediately drawn to how ornate it is, especially the carved head at the top. What strikes you about this piece? Curator: What interests me most is how this instrument, in its own time, represented status and cultural participation. Consider the role of music in courtly life. To own such a finely crafted viol signaled a degree of wealth and sophistication but also access to a specific social sphere where music-making was valued. The very act of 'dividing,' or improvising upon a melody, placed the musician within a tradition of learned artistry and cultured leisure. Does that head, to your eye, feel specifically symbolic? Editor: It could be... classical? I hadn’t thought of it in terms of social status though. Does the Met's display change that historical context, turning a tool for musical expression into simply an object of visual art? Curator: Precisely! Museums inherently re-contextualize objects. By placing this viol behind glass, we remove its functionality, inviting viewers to appreciate it as a testament to Baroque craftsmanship, but simultaneously, distancing it from its original purpose within a vibrant musical culture. It becomes a relic, prompting us to consider not just the skill of its maker, but also the evolution of musical taste and the social dynamics it once embodied. Is that a fair summary, in your view? Editor: Definitely, seeing how objects can shift in meaning depending on where they are is super interesting! Thanks! Curator: My pleasure! It's crucial to remember that these objects were once part of a living, breathing world, influencing and influenced by the society around them.