The Pianist (Annie Fischer) 1993

Maria Bozoky created this watercolor image of the pianist Annie Fischer, although the date of its making remains unknown. The setting is a private interior, and the overall feel is one of artistic and cultural refinement. The image speaks to the peculiar situation of women in the arts, as the sitter is pictured both as a performer and as an object of contemplation. The mirror reflects a second likeness of her, thus underlining the importance of her image as separate from her musical profession. This was a time when it was becoming more acceptable for women to perform in public, but in which their beauty and presentation were still vitally important to their recognition. Further research might look at the concert programs of the time, or even conduct interviews with musicians, in order to better understand the institutional pressures experienced by performers such as Annie Fischer. With a clearer sense of social context, we can more deeply appreciate what the artwork means.