Reading in Western Art
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Reading as been depicted in Western Art as early as the Ancient Greeks. Both men and women of the aristocracy read.
In medieval times, the literacy rate decreased. Now, only monks and nuns had the ability to read.
Since they produced most of the arts, medieval times showed for the most part religious folks reading the Bible.
In Renaissance paintings, the Virgin Mary appeared often reading. During the baroque period, women reading letters became quite the popular subject matter.
They were perceived as being gossipy bunch. They also read novels. Once we got to the impressionism period, there came a clear divide in the reading material of men and women.
Men read newspapers. Women read novels. This continued all the way to modern times. There is a video of this topic in my Artsy Sister Youtube channel. Please give a like and subscribe.
