Square Piano 1810 - 1820

This square piano was made in London by Thomas Loud Evenden, some time in the early 19th century. At this time, musical instruments were becoming increasingly common features in bourgeois homes, and they played a key role in the social lives of middle-class families. Consider the instrument’s design. The legs are heavily ornamented, with a classical, almost imperial, feel. The painted panel above the keyboard suggests that it's a luxury item intended for display as well as for use. With its elaborate decoration and the cultural value attached to musical accomplishment, the square piano declared the owner's social status and taste. Looking at an object like this allows us to consider the public role of art and the social conditions that shape artistic production. Auction catalogs and manufacturer’s records can reveal a lot about who bought and sold instruments like these, and how they were used.