Upright Harp/Piano c. 1937

Editor: This is William High’s "Upright Harp/Piano" from around 1937, a drawing using colored pencil. The combination of the harp and piano feels so grand, like something out of a fantasy! What symbolic meaning do you see in this unusual pairing of instruments? Curator: This fusion of harp and piano carries a fascinating tension. The harp traditionally symbolizes celestial harmony, purity, almost a direct line to the divine, right? Its sound evokes ethereal qualities. Juxtapose that with the piano. Although capable of great beauty, it's a more grounded, structured instrument. Think of the piano’s association with parlors, compositions, social music. Editor: So, what's the artist saying with this combination? Is it a conflict, or a unification? Curator: Perhaps High is exploring the tensions between the spiritual and the domestic, or between innovation and tradition. What emotional resonances does this improbable instrument stir in you? Editor: It feels like wanting something refined and artistic in a familiar, everyday form. It's like dreaming of something bigger, grander. Curator: Precisely. Consider the decorative elements. Do they amplify the dreamlike quality, or do they root it further in a specific time? How do the colours enhance these feelings? Editor: They enhance the grandeur and luxurious qualities of both instruments, adding another layer of complexity. Thank you for illuminating that for me. Curator: A fruitful exercise, observing how symbols converge to unlock emotional and historical truths.