Hoornist bestudeert de bladmuziek Fraises au Champagne 1852 - 1890

Willem Linnig the Younger created this etching, "Horn Player Studying the Sheet Music Fraises au Champagne," in 19th-century Belgium, a time when musical societies flourished and popular tunes reflected the joie de vivre of bourgeois culture. Here, the musician, lost in his study, embodies the rising middle class's pursuit of leisure and artistic refinement. The sheet music's title, "Strawberries with Champagne", hints at the pleasurable indulgences of the era, suggesting that art and entertainment were becoming increasingly intertwined with everyday life. The informal setting and the musician's relaxed posture further indicate a shift away from the rigid formality of previous generations, towards a more accessible and domestic experience of art. To fully understand this image, we delve into the social history of music in Belgium, exploring how institutions such as music schools and concert halls fostered a vibrant cultural scene that both reflected and shaped the values of the emerging middle class.