Edgar Degas, Woman Reading, About 1883-5, National Gallery, London, Photo by Kianoush Poyanfar
Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec, The Reader, 1889, National Gallery, London, Photo by Kianoush Poyanfar
Introduction
In the hushed corners of 19th-century parlors, a quiet revolution unfolded—one where brush strokes and color palettes whispered the changing roles of women and their relationship with the intellectual world. Edgar Degas’s “Woman Reading” and Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec’s “The Reader” capture this intimate act of reading, providing a window into the era's complex interplay between gender, solitude, and intellectualism. These artworks not only reflect personal moments of engagement but also mirror the broader historical and cultural contexts of their time.
Reading as a Symbol of Intellectual Pursuit
In the late 19th century, reading was not merely a pastime but a significant indicator of social and intellectual status. For women, it was both a leisure activity and a subtle form of empowerment—a quiet assertion of their intellectual presence in a society that often limited their roles to domestic spheres. Paintings depicting women engrossed in books subtly challenged the prevailing norms and suggested a shift towards more intellectually inclusive attitudes.
Degas and Toulouse-Lautrec, through their distinct artistic approaches, illustrated these changing dynamics. Degas’s use of vibrant pastels over monotype in “Woman Reading” creates a sense of immediacy and intimacy, enveloping the woman in a world of her own. This portrayal is less about the external acknowledgment of her intellect and more about her personal engagement and fulfillment. The choice of a naked woman adds another layer, perhaps pointing to the vulnerability and rawness of her intellectual engagement, stripped of societal expectations.
Edgar Degas, Woman Reading, About 1883-5, National Gallery, London, Photo by Kianoush Poyanfar
Edgar Degas, Woman Reading, About 1883-5, National Gallery, London, Photo by Kianoush Poyanfar
Toulouse-Lautrec’s Portrayal of Solitary Intellectualism
Conversely, Toulouse-Lautrec’s “The Reader” presents a more subdued but equally powerful image. His subject, the 17-year-old Hélène Vary, is depicted in a moment of quiet solitude. The reduced palette of white and turquoise alongside her loose hair and informal attire suggests a comfortable, personal engagement with the text. Toulouse-Lautrec's focus on Vary in such a personal setting highlights the accessibility of reading as an intellectual pursuit for women of the time, suggesting it as a gateway to personal freedom and introspection.
Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec, The Reader, 1889, National Gallery, London, Photo by Kianoush Poyanfar
Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec, The Reader, 1889, National Gallery, London, Photo by Kianoush Poyanfar
The Cultural Context and its Reflections
These portrayals occur against the backdrop of a society in flux. The late 19th century witnessed significant movements towards educational reforms and the gradual acceptance of women in the public and intellectual arenas. Art often mirrored these shifts, offering subtle commentary on the evolving roles of women. Degas and Toulouse-Lautrec, in their respective works, navigate this delicate balance—acknowledging the traditional views while gently pushing the boundaries of what was socially acceptable.
In examining the choice of women as subjects in these artworks, one must consider the broader implications. Both artists chose to isolate their subjects in moments of solitude, a choice that highlights the personal nature of intellectual growth while also commenting on the solitary nature of such pursuits in a world that still viewed public intellectualism as predominantly male.
Conclusion
The depiction of reading in art from this period often carries a dual message: it is both an endorsement of solitude as necessary for intellectual growth and a critique of the enforced solitude that societal norms imposed on women. Through the lens of historical and cultural context, these paintings do more than depict moments of reading; they speak to the era's grappling with gender roles and intellectual identity.
As I reflect on these artworks today, they encourage us to appreciate the nuanced ways in which art can comment on and influence societal values and norms. Degas’s and Toulouse-Lautrec’s portrayals of women readers are not just beautiful images; they are historical documents that capture the essence of an intellectual awakening among women—a theme that, despite the passage of centuries, remains profoundly relevant.
