Piano Forte c. 1936

This "Piano Forte" was envisioned by Ferdinand Cartier, who lived from 1892 to 1987, using watercolor and graphite on paper. It is not merely the image of an instrument, but also a window into the world of design and manufacture. Consider the array of materials implied here: wood, metal, felt, and ivory. Each of these comes with its own history of extraction, processing, and use. The wood grain, meticulously rendered, speaks to the craftsmanship required to fashion the piano’s body. The metal accents, probably brass, hint at the industrial processes necessary to create such refined details. Even the keys—traditionally made of ivory—bear witness to global trade and its environmental consequences. Notice the claw feet, seemingly carved from a single piece of wood. The entire design suggests a merging of handcraft and industrial production, with a nod to both artistic expression and mechanical precision. Looking closely at the materials and the labor required to produce them, we can begin to appreciate the true complexity embedded in this deceptively simple image of a piano.