Early Modern
Early Modern
Sébastien Érard
Sébastien Erard: The Architect of the Modern Piano Sébastien Erard’s name is inextricably linked to the evolution of both the piano and the harp, instruments he profoundly shaped during a pivotal era in musical history. Born in Strasbourg in 1752, his journey from cabinetmaker's apprentice to pioneering instrument maker reflects a relentless pursuit of mechanical ingenuity and a deep understanding of acoustics – qualities that would revolutionize music-making for generations to come. His story isn’t simply one of craftsmanship; it’s a testament to the power of observation, experimentation, a…
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works mapped
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1831
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An Interactive Constellation
The Subject Atlas
A chart of Sébastien Érard's corpus mapped not by date but by subject. Spokes are what they painted; rings are when; and the threads between stars reveal the patrons and places that secretly connect them.
Focus a Subject
Trace a Context
Spokes — Subject
Each arm of the atlas gathers works by what they depict: portraits, sacred scenes, mythologies, and the scientific studies. Click a spoke to swing that cluster to the top.
Rings — Career Period
Distance from the center marks time. The innermost ring is the earliest period; the outermost, the final years. Style matures as you move outward.
Threads — Shared Context
Coloured lines link works bound by the same patron, commission, or theme. Trace a context to watch related clusters light up across subjects.