Omlijsting voor het muziekstuk 'Musette' van Willem F. Siep 1896

Reinier Willem Petrus de Vries created this ornamented sheet music for Willem F. Siep’s ‘Musette’ during a time of immense artistic experimentation. Born in the late 19th century, De Vries navigated a society grappling with rapid industrialization alongside burgeoning artistic movements. Evident in the delicate linework and stylized motifs of the frame, we can see the influence of Art Nouveau. The design merges organic forms with the geometry of musical instruments, creating a visual echo of the music itself. In this period artists sought to integrate art into everyday life. The choice of ‘Musette,’ a pastoral musical form, adds another layer. Musettes were often associated with the French court, evoking a sense of refined leisure but here is re-imagined for the domestic sphere through printed sheet music. The image and music ask us to consider class, accessibility, and the democratization of art. It is an intimate invitation to experience beauty in the everyday.