The Spinet

Dad was very musical and played violin and organ. He also owned a clavichord, a fascinating keyboard instrument with the black and white keys reversed. It did not pluck the strings as spinets and harpsichords etc did but struck the strings and it was possible to vary the pitch a little by exerting more pressure on the keys. A very quiet instrument.

This lady may be just demonstrating various sounds to the little girl as her hands don’t seem to be involved in playing a particular piece of music! The wonderful decorative lid looks too wide. I feel it would …

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Dad was very musical and played violin and organ. He also owned a clavichord, a fascinating keyboard instrument with the black and white keys reversed. It did not pluck the strings as spinets and harpsichords etc did but struck the strings and it was possible to vary the pitch a little by exerting more pressure on the keys. A very quiet instrument.

This lady may be just demonstrating various sounds to the little girl as her hands don’t seem to be involved in playing a particular piece of music! The wonderful decorative lid looks too wide. I feel it would stick out quite a way when lowered!

One of the drawings in Richard's first solo show, at the Goupil Gallery, London in 1929.