Concert c. 19th century

Editor: This is Charles Carey’s "Concert," and it depicts a small ensemble. I’m struck by its formal setting and the rather constrained feeling it evokes. How might social conventions influence the creation and perception of art like this? Curator: It's fascinating how Carey captures a sense of formality, isn't it? Consider the societal role of art in the 19th century when Carey was creating this. Art served as a marker of status and education. The image of a "concert" then becomes more than just music; it is a display of cultural capital. Editor: So, the artist may be commenting on the social function of art itself? Curator: Precisely! What do you think the staging of the concert communicates to its intended audience? I’m now pondering how the rise of art institutions affected artists’ intentions. Editor: I hadn't considered that. It makes me rethink my initial impression of constraint as perhaps intentional, reflecting the social expectations of the time. Curator: Exactly, and that is one key way to perceive this piece.