There is no Frigate like a Book
To take us Lands away
Nor any Coursers like a Page
Of prancing Poetry --
Emily Dickinson
Inspired by the above poem, I have decided that, as part of the Problogger group writing project, I would give you my top 5 Reading Ladies. So, here they are:
1. Young Woman Reading by a Window - Delphin Enjolras
2. Girl Reading - Charles Edward Perugini
3. The Reader - Jean-Honore Fragonard
4. Woman Reading - Pierre Auguste Renoir
5. Young Woman Reading - Mary Cassatt
One of the things that I like about these paintings is that all the women look so absorbed by what they are reading; they have been transported by the simple act of picking up a book. Many of my posts to this blog are book related as one of my great joys in life is being so absorbed in a book that I find I physically can't put it down. I think it is this joy, this absorption, this transportation that is conveyed so beautifully in these five paintings. I must point out though, that these paintings are a very small sample from five of the many artists who have chosen the reading woman as their subject. What do you make of this? Why do we find the sight of a woman engaged in reading so aesthetically pleasing? Which of the five is your favourite?
UPDATE: My mum has just sent me a link to a French website which promotes a book called 'Les Femmes Qui Lisent Sont Dangereuses', or 'The Reading Women Are Dangerous'. It has quite a few beautiful images of reading women on it. Check it out!
Tuesday, 8 May 2007
My Top 5 Reading Ladies
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20 comments:
As a guy married to a writer, I must say that these are approximately the hottest paintings I've ever seen. I think we find others most attractive when they are the least self-conscious...the women in these paintings don't know they're the subject; freed from the need to make any impression, they are fully themselves.
How beautifully expressed, jrlennon. I agree with you 100% I'm so glad you enjoyed my selection, and thank you for the comment.
I think I actually have a postcard of the top painting! I have to say my favorite, however, is the second one. Is that an orange sitting there? It's so nice in its classical simplicity. For the last few years I have been buying the "reading woman" calendar and it hangs next to my desk at work. It has some lovely images as well! I like that kind of absorption as well--closing out the outside world and getting lost in the world of the book!
By the way--had I read your sidebar a little closer I would have seen what your research work was on! I finally saw your comment to a recent post--thanks for the links--I will read them!
I'm glad you liked them, Danielle. And yes, I think that is an orange. It looks like she may be sitting beneath an orange tree... The first one by Enjolras is perhaps his most famous painting of the reading woman, but it does seem to have been one of his favourite subjects, as the reading woman crops up in a lot of his work. Thanks for commenting!
I rather like "Young Woman Reading by a Window" by Delphin Enjolras.
Thanks for the comment over at my site.
And I meant it when I said good luck with your thesis.
Geoffrey
That's my favourite too, Geoffrey. It's something about the light coming through the window, illuminating her face and the book, that just enthralls me. Thanks for the comment, and your best wishes for my thesis. The latter is especially appreciated!!
The Renoir is long time favorite of mine.
very beautiful paintings - thanks for sharing..
What a lovely post. I am delighted to have found it. The Renoir (not that we are voting) is the one I wish I resembled! (but I don't! not by a long shot).
Carleenp - The Renoir really is lovely, isn't it? Out of all of them, I want to know what she is reading the most!
Pearl - So glad you liked my choice. There are beautiful, aren't they?
Katie - I'm glad you found this post too! The woman in the Renoir painting is beautiful, although she did have the advantage of being painted by Renoir!
Thanks to all three of you for commenting!
I love this post!
It's so beautifully unique from what I normally read from the blogging world.
Nice idea.
(found through problogger)
What a lovely compliment, Bec. Thank you!
Those are beautiful! I don't look anything like that when I read, but now I can imagine I do.
Great blog, too--I just signed up for your feed.
Thanks for commenting and subscribing, Annie!
Very unique take on the group writing project. I am a fan of reading as well. It is actually funny you mention what mesmerizes us by a woman reading because my husband says he loves to watch me read! He claims that it is the serenity and the true self that a book can bring out of me that captures him. I am notorious for allowing a book to bring out emotions in me that I normally keep in check! Reading takes me to another world. One that is free and amazing! Great post!
I think you're right, Kristen. Reading does allow us the freedom to be ourselves, as it lets us lose our self-consciousness. Glad you enjoyed the post, and thanks for commenting!
Thanks for the delightful post Amy. We have a poster of the Fragonard...like the way her little pinky juts out...although it makes her hand look a bit octopus like...
If the Renoir had been painted post 1984 our lady reader could be reading The Unbearable Lightness of Being...
I'd never noticed her hand looked like an octopus until you pointed it out, Nigel. Now all I can see is octopus hand! Good suggestion for the Renoir book.
Thanks for this post.
I'm fond of Pietro Magni's sculpture "La Leggitrice" at the National Gallery of Art:
http://www.nga.gov/cgi-bin/pinfo?Object=124598+0+none
and
http://www.flickr.com/photos/tags/pietromagni/
Thank you so much for the comment and the links. It is indeed a beautiful sculpture!
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