The First Beautiful Days/Cover of sheet music c. 19th century

Curator: This is Frédéric Sorrieu's "The First Beautiful Days," a sheet music cover now held at the Harvard Art Museums. The print shows an idealized scene of people dancing. Editor: It feels quite idyllic! The way Sorrieu uses cross-hatching creates a sense of light filtering through the trees, almost like a hazy afternoon. Curator: Sorrieu was deeply involved in the political movements of his time, and his art often reflected his republican ideals. This image, while seemingly simple, also romanticizes rural life, which ties into his political vision. Editor: The composition does guide the eye nicely, doesn't it? From the dancers to the figures resting beneath the tree, and back again. There is a rhythmic quality. Curator: Exactly, and it reflects a longing for a simpler time, perhaps even a subtle critique of the rapidly industrializing society. Editor: I hadn’t considered the political context! It makes the seemingly innocent imagery all the more compelling. Curator: Precisely, it makes me rethink the role of such artworks.