Victor Prouvé (1858-1943), designer, Louis Majorelle (1859-1926), decorator, Baby grand piano, Nancy, 1903
Majorelle Frères, cabinetmaker
Maison Erard, piano manufacturer
Carved solid mahogany frame and wood marquetry
Gift of Louis Majorelle, 1919
Inv. 21522
© Les Arts Décoratifs
If you would like to use this image, please contact the Picture Library
The theme of the marquetry, designed by Victor Prouvé, is a lullaby called The Sandman’s Song by Jean Richepin, from the play Par le Glaive (By the Sword) (1892):
Chantez la nuit sera brève
Il était une fois un vieil homme tout noir,
Il avait un manteau fait de rêve
Un chapeau fait de brume du soir.
Chantez la nuit sera brève
(“Sing! The night will soon be over! There was once a dark old man, with a coat made of dreams and a hat made of evening mist. Sing! The night will soon be over.”)