The Intersection of Art and Reading

Eight Paintings That Celebrate the Magic of the Written Word

“What I dream of is an art of balance, of purity and serenity devoid of troubling or depressing subject matter…a soothing, calming influence on the mind, rather like a good armchair which provides relaxation from physical fatigue.”

Henri Matisse 1869–1954

Art and reading both invite us into quiet moments of contemplation, offering new ways to see and feel the world around us. Whether it’s through the pages of a book or the brushstrokes of a painting, both can transport us to different places—sometimes, they even meet in the same moment. Today, I’m sharing six beautiful paintings that capture this very connection, celebrating the act of reading through the eyes of artists from different eras.

In the spirit of Charlotte Mason, I encourage you not to rush through these paintings. Instead, take one a day, linger over it, and truly look. Notice the details: the way light falls across the page, the expressions of the readers, the atmosphere the artist has created. Ask yourself how the painting makes you feel and what stories it might be telling, both on the surface and beneath it.

1. "Woman Reading" (1874) by Édouard Manet

   

2. "Young Girl Reading" (1770–1772) by Jean-Honoré Fragonard

   

3. “Reading” (1967) by Elizabeth Catlett

   

4. "Girl Reading a Letter at an Open Window" (1657–1659) by Johannes Vermeer

   

5. "Reading" (1894) by Henri Fantin-Latour

   

6. “The Library” (1978) by Jacob Lawrence

   

7. "Woman Reading" (1894) by Camille Corot

   

8. "The Reader" (1877) by Pierre-Auguste Renoir

   

Once you've spent time with each painting, tell someone about it. Share what you’ve discovered. As Charlotte Mason taught, it’s in this slow, intentional engagement that true appreciation grows. Art, like a good book, unfolds its secrets when we pause, look closely, and reflect.

Do you have a favourite?

Leah x

P.S. Eight more are coming next week!