The Sense of Hearing 1744 - 1747

Philippe Mercier's "The Sense of Hearing" (1744-1747) depicts a group of four women playing music. One woman plays the harpsichord, another plays the flute, a third plays the violin, and the fourth plays the cello. The scene, with its elegant, light-filled composition, is characteristic of the Rococo style. The painting reflects the 18th-century obsession with music as a source of pleasure and refinement. The artist, Philippe Mercier, was a prolific painter who produced numerous portraits and genre paintings. "The Sense of Hearing" showcases the artist's skill in capturing the beauty of music and the joy of making it.