Design for Cabinet Pianoforte, François Premier Style
1835–1900
Medium
Pen and ink, graphite, watercolor
Classification
Drawings|Ornament & Architecture
Department
Drawings and Prints
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Bequest of Jessie F. Hume, 1930
Accession Number
30.16.11
Tags
Art Historical Context
This design for a cabinet pianoforte by Robert William Hume captures the 19th-century fascination with historical revival styles. Created in the François Premier manner, it reinterprets the ornate French Renaissance aesthetic associated with King Francis I—characterized by elaborate carvings, classical motifs, and luxurious detailing—into a functional piece of musical furniture. The drawing likely served as a presentation or workshop guide, showcasing how a piano could be seamlessly integrated into a grand cabinet form. Executed in pen and ink, graphite, and watercolor, the work highlights th...
About the Artist
Robert William Hume · 1816–1904
Robert William Hume (1816–1904) was a British artist and craftsman who contributed to the documentation of decorative arts and design in nineteenth-century Britain. Working during the Victorian era, Hume was part of a generation of artists and designers who combined artistic skill with antiquarian interests, producing detailed studies and records of historical objects, ornamental patterns, and arc...