Ved klaveret 1876 - 1898

Peter Ilsted created 'Ved klaveret,’ or ‘At the Piano,’ using oil on canvas. Ilsted, a Danish artist born in 1861, was known for his interiors, often depicting women in quiet domestic scenes. This painting, with its muted tones, invites us into an intimate moment between a mother and child. Here we see the woman seated at the piano, perhaps giving a lesson or practicing, while a young girl stands close by, watching. Ilsted’s work reflects the values and social expectations placed on women, particularly in bourgeois circles, during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Confined in the domestic sphere they were expected to provide a nurturing environment for their families. Music, then as now, was seen as a tool for education, but also emotional expression. While seemingly simple, 'At the Piano' subtly acknowledges the complexities of women’s roles, where the personal intersects with societal expectations. It serves as a quiet reflection on the intersection of domesticity, gender, and emotional life.