The rehearsal 

Raimundo de Madrazo painted "The Rehearsal," likely in the late 19th century, using oil on canvas. It depicts a woman, probably of high society in Spain or France, practicing with her harp. The image suggests the social conditions that shape artistic production. Harp playing was a skill cultivated by upper-class women, not for professional performance, but as a signifier of social grace. Madrazo belonged to a family of artists deeply embedded in the Spanish court and Parisian society. As a portraitist, he navigated the politics of imagery, producing likenesses that flattered his subjects and reinforced their social status. The setting, whether a conservatory or a stage set, reflects a constructed world of leisure and refinement. Understanding Madrazo's work requires considering the patronage system, the art market, and the expectations of his elite clientele. By exploring such historical resources, we reveal how art both reflects and perpetuates the values of its time.