Music in the Parlor 

Cesare Auguste Detti painted 'Music in the Parlor' during a time when the aristocracy was rapidly losing its power and prestige in Europe. The painting depicts a group of people, dressed in finery, engaged in musical activities in an opulent parlor. Detti highlights a narrative of leisure and cultural refinement. Yet, we might ask, whose leisure is this and at what cost? The artist was a member of the bourgeoisie, and perhaps he romanticized the aristocracy here because he yearned for entry into that closed-off world. The performance of music by women could be seen as reinforcing gendered expectations, but could also be viewed as a form of empowerment within the limited sphere of their influence. It is telling that they're all wearing the colors of candied almonds; pink, yellow, and white. This image may reflect the social constraints placed on women and the limited opportunities for self-expression at the time. By engaging with the painting, we're invited to consider the complex interplay between art, gender, and class. While the scene may appear traditional on the surface, it also opens a space for questioning established power structures.