The Sense of Hearing 1744 - 1747

Philippe Mercier painted The Sense of Hearing using oil on canvas, a common combination for the period. But look closely at the instruments the figures are playing: piano, flute, cello, and violin. Each of these requires skilled craftsmanship, and are made from a variety of materials: wood, metal, animal gut, and more. The combination of these materials creates unique sonic qualities and is reflective of the values and cultural context of the time. Notice how the skilled labor required to produce these instruments contrasts with the image of leisure and refinement depicted. The scene is an aspirational image of bourgeois gentility, but remember how much work has gone into the objects that are depicted. So, next time you encounter a painting like this, consider the work behind the work, and how these everyday objects embody class, labor, and social relationships.