The Beauty of Reading – Part II

Posted by on February 4, 2010 10:57 pm in Book talk | 15 comments

I really enjoyed doing this post the first time, and as it turned out, it was one of the most popular post I did in my first year of blogging. I thought I would share more of the fabulous pictures I found ย that represent this beautiful passion of ours : reading!

To see part I, click here.

Woman reading, Kuniyoshi Utagawa

Jean-Baptiste Camille Corot, Woman Reading a Book, 1845

Young Woman Reading, Alfred Stevens, 1856

Marguerite Gerard. Lady Reading in an Interior

Woman reading in a landscape, Jean-Baptiste Camille Corot, 1869

Woman Reading near a goldfish tank, Lovis Corinth, 1911

This selection is definitely less erotic than some of the pictures in the first post; however, I realized that, compare to these beautiful women, I am quite under-dress when I read! I can’t remember the last time I dressed in silk and lace to read… or was it in another life? ๐Ÿ˜‰

Hopefully you enjoy these as much as I do : I still have many more to share with you in future posts!

15 Comments

  1. I love them – especially the one by Alfred Stevens.

  2. They are all so beautiful. I love this one : Young Woman Reading, Alfred Stevens, 1856 especially! I’ve been trying to get my pullip set up for a similar shot, with a beautiful old fashioned dress and a 1:6 book if I can find one ๐Ÿ™‚

    We definitely need more posts like this, love it.

    • Oooh! Did I know you had a Pullip? I used to collect those, and Blythes, and take lots of pictures of them! In fact, I still have them but they’re mainly on display now. What model is she?
      And I think I might have a pullip-sized book around somewhere. If I can find it, I’ll send it to you! ๐Ÿ˜€

  3. I love the images. They would look fabulous framed as well.

  4. I love the one by Alfred Stevens. It simply spells elegance. And was her foot on top of her pet?

    The one with Marguerite Gerard is attractive too. Well, her dress is! Haha! I wonder though, how could they read in a chair like that? I have to read in my bed or on the sofa! I guess, lady like manners is a law before!

    Please do make more of these! We enjoy them!

  5. Gorgeous, Kay. ๐Ÿ™‚ I especially like the top picture.

  6. I <3 the third one!

  7. Hi, Kay…I have an award for you over here:

    http://laurelrainsnowcreations.blogspot.com

  8. Thanks for another round of reading pictures! I’m feeling quite underdressed as well. Maybe I should pull out my wedding dress this weekend when I settle down for some reading ๐Ÿ˜‰

    It would be fun to do a series of book bloggers all dressed up and reading.

  9. Ooh lovely. I love them all, especially the Utagawa, the Stevens, and the Corinth. More, please!

  10. Beautiful pics, I love the first one. Reading pics always attract my attention.

  11. I love the one by Girard! It makes me want to dress up, even if it is more comfortable to read wearing sweats and slippers!

  12. Oh, lovely again! I want the dresses in these paintings. Simply gorgeous!

    I did a teeny post in response to this one, as I have a miniature of a girl reading but unsure of the painting it came from. Here it is: http://rhiannon-hart.blogspot.com/2010/02/in-response-to-kays-beauty-of-reading.html

  13. LOVE the Japanese print.

    I chose the painting for my header because it was in a calendar all about paintings of women reading. But then I realized she was looking at a painting. ๐Ÿ™ Oh well.

  14. What a great post idea and what lovely paintings you found! Love you blog btw. It’s so pretty and your writing is enjoyable and good.

Trackbacks/Pingbacks

  1. Links for Saturday, February 13, 2010 | BOOKS AND MOVIES - [...] ~ Kay at The Infinite Shelf has posted more gorgeous reading-themed art. [...]
  2. The Beauty of Reading โ€“ Part III « The Infinite Shelf – A Book Blog - [...] To see part II, click here. [...]
  3. The Beauty of Reading โ€“ Part IV « The Infinite Shelf – A Book Blog - [...] Iย -ย IIย -ย III Advertisement GA_googleAddAttr("AdOpt", "1"); GA_googleAddAttr("Origin", "other"); GA_googleAddAttr("LangId", "1"); GA_googleAddAttr("Autotag", "books"); GA_googleAddAttr("Autotag", "entertainment"); GA_googleAddAttr("Tag", "book-talk"); GA_googleAddAttr("Tag", "art"); GA_googleAddAttr("Tag", "children"); GA_googleAddAttr("Tag",…

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