Twee piano's 1895

Léon Laroche created ‘Twee piano’s’ with an unknown medium. At first glance, these designs for piano drapes might seem like a minor decorative element, but consider them as signifiers of bourgeois domestic life. These drawings offer a glimpse into the cultural values and gendered spaces of the time. Imagine these pianos as a centerpiece in a home, a place of gathering, especially for women, where music and social graces intertwine. The fabric, the lace, the floral embellishments - all speak to a certain vision of femininity and domesticity. But whose vision is it? Is it the vision of the women who played the pianos, or is it the vision of the society that expects them to embody these ideals? These drapes are not just about aesthetics, they’re about presenting and performing a specific identity. These piano drapes are a potent reminder of how art and design can shape our understanding of gender, class, and culture.