Le Concert 1823

Editor: We're looking at "Le Concert" by Louis Léopold Boilly, created in 1823. It's a print held at the Minneapolis Institute of Art. It’s… well, it’s quite something. These faces are so expressive! It feels almost like a snapshot of an excruciating performance. What do you make of this rather…unflattering portrayal? Curator: Unflattering, yes, but deliciously so! To me, it's a peek into the world of amateur music-making in the 19th century. It reminds me of my own excruciating violin lessons as a child, frankly! But look closer – the way Boilly captures each character with such specific detail. They’re almost caricatures, aren’t they? Editor: Definitely! It's as if he caught them at the absolute worst moment. Curator: Precisely! Think of the context. Genre painting was gaining popularity, offering slices of everyday life, and caricature, as a style, thrived. Boilly’s genius lies in combining the two. He gives us this sense of intimacy and the mundane…yet distorts it ever so slightly, making it hilarious and perhaps even a bit cruel. Tell me, do you sense any joy in their faces? Editor: Hmmm, the woman on the right maybe? A little? But mostly I see strained effort and slight agony. Curator: I agree. And I suspect that was exactly Boilly's point. What kind of sounds do you think this “concert” is creating? Editor: I'm imagining something rather discordant! This has really given me a new appreciation for how artists can use humor to comment on society, even something as simple as a musical gathering. Curator: And I am reminded to stick to enjoying art rather than trying to create it. A lesson for us both perhaps?