Square Piano 1780 - 1820

This square piano was made by Corneille Charles Emanuel van der Does, who lived from 1769 to 1827. The piano's existence speaks to the cultural and social life of the late 18th and early 19th centuries. Consider that musical instruments like this were more than just objects; they were tools through which social status was expressed and reinforced. These pianos were often seen in the homes of the rising middle class, especially women, as musical skill was considered a sign of refinement. The piano was a tool in the construction of gendered identity, where women were encouraged to perform music in the domestic sphere. Reflect on the power dynamics implied by the presence of this piano. What sort of social gatherings took place around it? Whose voices were amplified, and whose were silenced? These are essential considerations when we examine objects that have the power to both reflect and shape society.