Artwork
At the Piano
At the Piano is a gouache drawing by the Impressionist artist Theodore Robinson. It dates from 1887 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
- Accession no.
- 1986.279
- Credit line
- Sheila and Richard J. Schwartz Fund, 1986
About this work
Overview
At the Piano is a charcoal and gouache work on off-white wove paper, created by Theodore Robinson around 1887. The piece captures a serene domestic moment.
Subject & Meaning
A woman is seated at a piano with her hands poised on the keys, surrounded by soft, natural light streaming through a window. The scene conveys a sense of anticipatory stillness, as if music is about to begin.
Technique & Style
Characterized by loose, quick strokes, the work blends the immediacy of a sketch with the vibrancy of gouache. The medium's matte finish contributes to the piece's soft, chalky texture.
History & Provenance
Painted during Robinson's time in France, where he resided near Claude Monet, At the Piano reflects the artist's exposure to European influences during this period.
Context
Created in the late 19th century, the work sits at the intersection of American and French artistic practices of the time, with Robinson being part of the American expatriate community in France.
Artist & collection
Artist
Theodore Robinson was an American painter best known for his Impressionist landscapes.
