Musette antique du temps de Neron before 1828

Pierre Félix van Doren created this pencil drawing, "Musette antique du temps de Neron," in the 19th century. The drawing depicts an antique bagpipe from the time of Nero, enclosed within a circle. Van Doren's interest in historical musical instruments reflects a broader 19th-century fascination with antiquity and historical revivalism. This was a period marked by the rise of museums and historical societies, institutions dedicated to preserving and studying the past. Van Doren's drawing can be seen as part of this movement, seeking to document and understand the material culture of earlier eras. The choice of Nero's time evokes the grandeur of the Roman Empire, associating the instrument with a period of high culture and imperial power. The drawing, however, is not merely a record but also an interpretation, influenced by the artist’s own cultural context and the prevailing historical narratives of his time. To fully understand this drawing, it's important to consider the historical sources Van Doren might have consulted and the institutional frameworks that shaped his artistic practice.