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Designed by Sir Lawrence Alma-Tadema
British, born Netherlands, 1836–1912
Manufactured by Johnstone, Norman & Co., London
Instrument and case by Steinway & Sons, New York
Fallboard painted by Sir Edward John Poynter
English, 1836 - 1919
Model D Pianoforte and Stools
1884–87
When the elaborate case of this Steinway piano was displayed in London in 1885, the press called it “splendid,” “remarkable,” and “superb.” Alma-Tadema designed it as the centerpiece of a “Greco-Roman” music room in the Manhattan mansion of financier Henry Marquand. With its lavish materials and decorative flourishes—including the names of Apollo and the Muses inlaid on the lid—it remains one of the grandest grand pianos ever made.
Image Caption
Designed by Sir Lawrence Alma-Tadema, Model D Pianoforte and Stools, 1884–87, oak, cherry, ebony, boxwood, satinwood, cedar, holly, ivory, coral, mother-of-pearl, abalone, copper, brass, silver, parchment, and modern upholstery. Clark Art Institute, 1997.8
Medium
oak, cherry, ebony, boxwood, satinwood, cedar, holly, ivory, coral, mother-of-pearl, abalone, copper, brass, silver, parchment, and modern upholstery
Dimensions
Overall piano: 40 3/16 x 104 3/4 x 59 13/16 in. (102.1 x 266.1 x 151.9 cm)
Larger Poynter painting: 6 3/8 × 46 5/16 in. (16.2 × 117.6 cm)
Smaller Poynter painting: 6 3/8 × 2 in. (16.2 × 5.1 cm)
Stools each: 21 × 22 3/4 × 17 3/4 in. (53.3 × 57.8 × 45.1 cm)
Object Number
1997.8
Acquisition
Acquired by the Clark, 1997
Status
On View
Select Bibliography
James Parakilas, et al.. Piano Roles: 300 Years of Life with the Piano.. New Haven: Yale University Press.. 1999.. Daniëlle O. Kisluk-Grosheide.. "A Piano for a New York Millionaire.". Sterling and Francine Clark Art Institute Journal.. 2000.:pp. 48-57.. Melikian, Souren. "A Unique and Unforgettable Collection." International Herald Tribune, 16–17 September 2000. edited by Maximilian Rutten. Grand Pianos: Three Centuries of Art Case Pianos. Stinehour Press. 2001. Rand, Richard. "Recent Acquisitions (19942005) at the Sterling and Francine Clark Art Institute." The Burlington Magazine 147, no. 1225 (April 2005): 293300.
Provenance
Henry Gurdon Marquand, 11 East 68th St., New York (until 1902; his sale, American Art Association, New York, 31 January 1903, lots 1363 and 1365, purchased by William Barbour); Col. William and Julia Adelaide Barbour, 11 West 53rd St., New York (until 1923; their sale, American Art Association, 13 November 1923, lot 278, purchased by "B. Martin"); Martin and Louise Heims Beck, 831 Lexington Ave., New York (displayed at the Martin Beck Theatre, 302 W 45th St., New York, from the late 1920s; presumably sold with the Martin Beck Theatre to William L. McKnight, 16 February 1966); William L. McKnight, Minnesota and Jujamcyn Theaters (remained on display at the Martin Beck Theatre; Jujamcyn Theaters sold to James and Virginia Binger, 1970); James H. and Virginia McKnight Binger, Minneapolis and Jujamcyn Theaters (remained on display at the Martin Beck Theatre; sale, PB Eighty-Four, New York, 26 March 1980, lot 535, purchased by Barry Trupin); Barry H. Trupin and Ann Marie Tahka, New York (on loan to the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, 1986–95; sale, Christie's, London, 7 November 1997, lot 86, purchased by the Clark Art Institute); Sterling and Francine Clark Art Institute, Williamstown, Massachusetts, 1997.