Square Piano 1791 - 1798

Editor: This photograph presents a square piano made by Charles Albrecht between 1791 and 1798, now housed at the Met. It strikes me as incredibly elegant and surprisingly compact for a piano. I wonder, what do you see in this piece that reflects the social or cultural history of its time? Curator: Well, think about the late 18th century. The rise of the middle class meant that cultural pursuits, like playing music, became more widespread. The square piano, unlike a grand piano, was relatively affordable and fit more easily into smaller, middle-class homes. It democratized music-making. Do you see any elements that visually speak to this shift? Editor: The ornamentation is certainly present, but feels restrained and ordered—very "classical," as the tags suggest. Nothing too showy or extravagant, implying that it wasn’t necessarily made for the aristocratic class? Curator: Precisely. The relatively simple design reflects broader shifts in aesthetic tastes. The elite still had their grand pianos, but the square piano helped cultivate musical appreciation amongst a growing segment of society, particularly women. This encouraged them to actively participate in cultural life and even afforded women a skill, something admired as ladylike in that society. Where do you see its impact regarding women in arts and society? Editor: It makes me think about Jane Austen and her heroines gathered around the pianoforte, doesn't it? Now it’s like viewing the past in its social impact on the public. Curator: Exactly! The piano isn’t just an instrument, but also tells about the public role art played during those times. I'd say examining objects like these makes that very visible.