Prior to the 18th century reading was usually done out loud. But with the age of Enlightenment arrived the priority of education. More people became literate, books became more plentiful and available, and with that came the portrait of the reader. These depictions expressed the popularity of silent reading in the era as well as expressed the sitter's sense of enlightenment achieved by the act of internalizing the enlightened word. Finally, a portrait style arrived allowing women to be depicted in a way to display their intelligence. Because of this, many women chose to be portrayed accompanied by a book (Madame de Pompadour was most always depicted with a book). Unfortunately this style remained popular through the following century when the enlightenment was forgotten. The reader portrait took on a different meaning in which it came to be a sort of feminine symbol of idleness. Here are some select images of some enlightened and learned ladies.
Friday, August 1, 2008
The Art of the Book
Prior to the 18th century reading was usually done out loud. But with the age of Enlightenment arrived the priority of education. More people became literate, books became more plentiful and available, and with that came the portrait of the reader. These depictions expressed the popularity of silent reading in the era as well as expressed the sitter's sense of enlightenment achieved by the act of internalizing the enlightened word. Finally, a portrait style arrived allowing women to be depicted in a way to display their intelligence. Because of this, many women chose to be portrayed accompanied by a book (Madame de Pompadour was most always depicted with a book). Unfortunately this style remained popular through the following century when the enlightenment was forgotten. The reader portrait took on a different meaning in which it came to be a sort of feminine symbol of idleness. Here are some select images of some enlightened and learned ladies.
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The Reynolds link isn't working for me. D:
ReplyDeleteThanks for letting me know! I just fixed it, hopefully it works now.
ReplyDeleteCan you confirm that the portrait you show under the title "The Art of the Book" is one of Madame de Pompadour by Boucher? I see an entirely different portrait by Boucher of the Madame de Pompadour on the Wikipedia page
ReplyDeletehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Madame_de_Pompadour
so am wondering if this is also of her by that artist. Thanks.
Absolutely! Boucher did many portraits of her, this particular one can be found at the Victoria and Albert Museum http://collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O17304/oil-painting-madame-de-pompadour-mistress-of/
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