Musikselskab 1705 - 1777

Michael Rössler created “Musikselskab,” an engraving that offers a glimpse into 18th-century social life. At first glance, it presents a scene of leisure, with figures elegantly dressed and engaged in coffee drinking and conversation. However, this image exists within a historical and cultural context marked by rigid social hierarchies. The elaborate attire and formal interactions reflect the importance of status and etiquette during this era. The presence of servants hints at the economic disparities of the time, as does the popularity of coffee, a costly import. This work maintains traditional representations of class and gender, but what is it about that monkey? Is it chained? What does it represent? There’s a tension between the pleasures of the social gathering and the economic disparities that support them. The engraving evokes a sense of both admiration for and critique of the societal norms of the time.