A Concert 1674 - 1684

Louis Licherie de Beurie made this drawing of a concert scene in France sometime in the mid-17th century. This work offers a glimpse into the world of aristocratic entertainment during the reign of Louis XIV. The scene depicts a group of elegantly dressed musicians, complete with elaborate wigs and fine garments. A woman sits at the keyboard, while others play stringed instruments or sing. Music was an essential element of courtly life and royal ceremony. The Sun King's reign was marked by a centralization of power and a promotion of French culture. Institutions such as the Académie Royale de Musique, founded in 1669, solidified music's social status. This drawing might have functioned as a preparatory sketch for an engraving, or perhaps served as a record of a specific musical performance. Historians rely on various sources – letters, diaries, account books, musical scores, and more – to understand the social meanings of art in the past. By examining such evidence, we can appreciate how art reflects and shapes the values of its time.