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Reading and letters

People absorbed in books and letters. 98 works, grouped by the museums' own subject tags and titles. Paintings first, then in date order.

98works
45average lightness (0–100)
17average colourfulness
-1295–1940dates

Combined colour mix

Black 24% · Gold & ochre 24% · Brown 20% · Grey 16% · White & cream 4%

Artists here: James McNeill Whistler (3), Mary Cassatt (2), Jean-Baptiste Camille Corot (1), Édouard Manet (1), Vincent van Gogh (1), Henry Lyman Saÿen (1), Harald Giersing (1), Giovanni Battista Tiepolo (1), Suzuki Harunobu (1), Katsukawa Shunshō (1), Torii Kiyonaga (1), Toyohara Kunichika (1)

Ostracon with a Drawing of a King, Ancient Egyptian Ostracon with a Drawing of a King Ancient Egyptian, New Kingdom, mid-Dynasty 19–Dynasty 20, about 1213–1069 BCE Funerary Papyrus of Tayuhenutmut, Ancient Egyptian Funerary Papyrus of Tayuhenutmut Ancient Egyptian, Third Intermediate Period, probably Dynasty 21 (about 1069-945 BCE) Virgin and Child Enthroned with Saints Peter, Paul, John the Baptist, and Dominic and a Dominican Supplicant, Ugolino di Nerio Virgin and Child Enthroned with Saints Peter, Paul, John the Baptist, and Dominic and a Dominican Supplicant Ugolino di Nerio, c. 1330 Bishop Saint Enthroned, Allegretto Nuzi Bishop Saint Enthroned Allegretto Nuzi, 1360–70 Triptych of the Crucifixion with Saints Anthony, Christopher, James and George, Netherlandish Triptych of the Crucifixion with Saints Anthony, Christopher, James and George Netherlandish, c. 1400 Retable of Saints Athanasius, Blaise, and Agatha, Master of Riglos Retable of Saints Athanasius, Blaise, and Agatha Master of Riglos, c. 1440–c. 1445 Panels from the Altarpiece of The Assumption of the Virgin with Saints: Saint Monica, Italian Panels from the Altarpiece of The Assumption of the Virgin with Saints: Saint Monica Italian, 1450–75 Panels from the Altarpiece of The Assumption of the Virgin with Saints: Saint Nicholas of Tolentino, Italian Panels from the Altarpiece of The Assumption of the Virgin with Saints: Saint Nicholas of Tolentino Italian, 1450–75 Panels from the Altarpiece of The Assumption of the Virgin with Saints: Bishop Saint, Italian Panels from the Altarpiece of The Assumption of the Virgin with Saints: Bishop Saint Italian, 1450–75 Panels from the Altarpiece of The Assumption of the Virgin with Saints: Saint Anthony Abbot, Italian Panels from the Altarpiece of The Assumption of the Virgin with Saints: Saint Anthony Abbot Italian, 1450–75 Saint Jerome Reading, Alvise Vivarini Saint Jerome Reading Alvise Vivarini, c. 1476 Portrait of a Donor (recto); Saint Anthony of Padua (verso), Hans Memling Portrait of a Donor (recto); Saint Anthony of Padua (verso) Hans Memling, c. 1485 The Constellation Leo, folio probably from the Kitab suwar al-kawakib al-thabita (Book of the Images of the Fixed Stars), Islamic The Constellation Leo, folio probably from the Kitab suwar al-kawakib al-thabita (Book of the Images of the Fixed Stars) Islamic, Timurid dynasty (ca. 1370–1507), dated c.1500 Virgin and Child with the Young Saint John the Baptist, Saint Cecilia, and Angels, Piero di Cosimo Virgin and Child with the Young Saint John the Baptist, Saint Cecilia, and Angels Piero di Cosimo, c. 1505 The Virgin Reading, Vittore Carpaccio The Virgin Reading Vittore Carpaccio, c. 1505 Saint John on Patmos, Hans Baldung Grien Saint John on Patmos Hans Baldung Grien, ca. 1511 Saint Catherine of Siena, Spagna, Lo Saint Catherine of Siena Spagna, Lo, 1510–15 Battle of the Forces of Krishna and Bana, from a copy of the Dispersed Bhagavat Purana, Unknown artist Battle of the Forces of Krishna and Bana, from a copy of the Dispersed Bhagavat Purana Unknown artist, c. 1520–1530 Holy Family, Workshop of Joos van Cleve Holy Family Workshop of Joos van Cleve, c. 1525 Saint Jerome in Penitence, Master of the Lille Adoration Saint Jerome in Penitence Master of the Lille Adoration, 1525–30 A Lady Reading (Saint Mary Magdalene), Master of the Female Half-Lengths A Lady Reading (Saint Mary Magdalene) Master of the Female Half-Lengths, c. 1530 Portrait of a Gentleman, Venetian Portrait of a Gentleman Venetian, c. 1540 Portrait of a Gentleman, Pietro Marescalchi Portrait of a Gentleman Pietro Marescalchi, c. 1545 Kichik Beg Wounded during Babur's Attack on Qalat, from a copy of the Baburnama (Book of Babur), Mughal Kichik Beg Wounded during Babur's Attack on Qalat, from a copy of the Baburnama (Book of Babur) Mughal, c. 1590 Saint Jerome in the Wilderness, Workshop of Paolo Veronese Saint Jerome in the Wilderness Workshop of Paolo Veronese, 1585–90 Hulagu Khan giving a feast and dispensing favor upon the amirs and princes, from a Chingiz-nama (Book of Chingiz Khan) of the Jami al-tavarikh (Compendium of Chronicles), Lal Hulagu Khan giving a feast and dispensing favor upon the amirs and princes, from a Chingiz-nama (Book of Chingiz Khan) of the Jami al-tavarikh (Compendium of Chronicles) Lal, c. 1596–1600 The game of wolf-running in Tabriz, from an Akbar-nama (Book of Akbar), Banavari 1 The game of wolf-running in Tabriz, from an Akbar-nama (Book of Akbar) Banavari 1, c. 1595–1600 Timur distributes gifts from his grandson, the Prince of Multan, from a Zafar-nama (Book of Victories), Shravana Timur distributes gifts from his grandson, the Prince of Multan, from a Zafar-nama (Book of Victories) Shravana, 1598–1600 Yaja and Upayaja perform a sacrifice for the emergence of Dhrishtadyumna from the fire, from Adi-parva (volume one) of the Razm-nama (Book of Wars) adapted and translated into Persian by Mir Ghiyath al-Din Ali Qazvini, known as Naqib Khan (Persian, d. 1614) from the Sanskrit Mahabharata, Bilal Habshi Yaja and Upayaja perform a sacrifice for the emergence of Dhrishtadyumna from the fire, from Adi-parva (volume one) of the Razm-nama (Book of Wars) adapted and translated into Persian by Mir Ghiyath al-Din Ali Qazvini, known as Naqib Khan (Persian, d. 1614) from the Sanskrit Mahabharata Bilal Habshi, 1598 Page from a Manuscript of Kulliyat (Complete Works) by Sa'di, Islamic Page from a Manuscript of Kulliyat (Complete Works) by Sa'di Islamic, Safavid Dynasty (1501-1736), 17th century Isfandiyar slays Arjasp, the king of Turan, from a Shah-nama (Book of Kings) of Firdausi (Persian, about 934–1020), Haidar Kashmiri Isfandiyar slays Arjasp, the king of Turan, from a Shah-nama (Book of Kings) of Firdausi (Persian, about 934–1020) Haidar Kashmiri, 1600–1605 Melancholia, Domenico Fetti Melancholia Domenico Fetti, c. 1615 The Annunciation, Frans Francken the Younger The Annunciation Frans Francken the Younger, c. 1620 Ghatotkacha and three demons in his company chase Bhagadatta, from Bhishma-parva (volume six) of a Razm-nama (Book of Wars) adapted from the Sanskrit Mahabharata and translated into Persian by Mir Ghiyath al-Din Ali Qazvini, known as Naqib Khan (Persian, d. 1614), Fazl Ghatotkacha and three demons in his company chase Bhagadatta, from Bhishma-parva (volume six) of a Razm-nama (Book of Wars) adapted from the Sanskrit Mahabharata and translated into Persian by Mir Ghiyath al-Din Ali Qazvini, known as Naqib Khan (Persian, d. 1614) Fazl, 1616–17 An Old Man in a Fur Cap, Karel van der Pluym An Old Man in a Fur Cap Karel van der Pluym, c. 1655 Homer Dictating, Pier Francesco Mola Homer Dictating Pier Francesco Mola, 1660–65 A Vanitas Still Life with a Flag, Candlestick, Musical Instruments, Books, Writing Paraphernalia, Globes, and Hourglass, Edwaert Collier A Vanitas Still Life with a Flag, Candlestick, Musical Instruments, Books, Writing Paraphernalia, Globes, and Hourglass Edwaert Collier, 1662 Jacopo Butera, Francesco Solimena Jacopo Butera Francesco Solimena, c. 1695 Holy Family with the Infant St. John, Francesco Trevisani Holy Family with the Infant St. John Francesco Trevisani, c. 1700 Queen Kaikeyi reminds King Dasharatha about the sacrifices of King Bali and King Shivi, folio 39 from the Ayodhya Kanda (Book of Ayodhya) of a Ramayana (Rama's Journey), Unknown artist Queen Kaikeyi reminds King Dasharatha about the sacrifices of King Bali and King Shivi, folio 39 from the Ayodhya Kanda (Book of Ayodhya) of a Ramayana (Rama's Journey) Unknown artist, c. 1710 Book Binding, Islamic Book Binding Islamic, Qajar dynasty (1796–1925), 1822, 18th/19th century Monks at Supper, Alessandro Magnasco Monks at Supper Alessandro Magnasco, c. 1720 Ravana addresses Sita in the garden of Lanka, from Chapters 53 and 54 of the Aranya Kanda (Book of the Forest) of a Ramayana (Rama’s Journey), Unknown artist Ravana addresses Sita in the garden of Lanka, from Chapters 53 and 54 of the Aranya Kanda (Book of the Forest) of a Ramayana (Rama’s Journey) Unknown artist, c. 1725 The Madonna with the Seven Founders of the Servite Order, Agostino Masucci The Madonna with the Seven Founders of the Servite Order Agostino Masucci, c. 1728 The Death of St. Francis Xavier, Veronica Stern The Death of St. Francis Xavier Veronica Stern, c. 1750 John Thomlinson and His Family, Arthur Devis John Thomlinson and His Family Arthur Devis, 1745 Handwritten Letter, Soga Shōhaku Handwritten Letter Soga Shōhaku, c. 1754 Handwritten Letter, Soga Shōhaku Handwritten Letter Soga Shōhaku, c. 1754 Portrait of a Musician, Alessandro Longhi Portrait of a Musician Alessandro Longhi, c. 1770 Madame François Buron, Jacques-Louis David Madame François Buron Jacques-Louis David, 1769 Lady Reading the Letters of Heloise and Abelard, Bernard d'Agesci Lady Reading the Letters of Heloise and Abelard Bernard d'Agesci, c. 1780 Sir Thomas Rumbold, Bt., Sir Joshua Reynolds Sir Thomas Rumbold, Bt. Sir Joshua Reynolds, 1788 John Philip Kemble, Martin Archer Shee John Philip Kemble Martin Archer Shee, c. 1795 Virgil Reading the "Aeneid" to Augustus, Octavia, and Livia, Jean-Baptiste Wicar Virgil Reading the "Aeneid" to Augustus, Octavia, and Livia Jean-Baptiste Wicar, 1790–93 Milton Dictating to His Daughter, Henry Fuseli Milton Dictating to His Daughter Henry Fuseli, 1794 William Gifford, After John Hoppner William Gifford After John Hoppner, c. 1800 Portrait of Constance Pipelet, Jean-Baptiste François Desoria Portrait of Constance Pipelet Jean-Baptiste François Desoria, 1797 Adam Rolland of Gask II, Henry Raeburn Adam Rolland of Gask II Henry Raeburn, 1800–10 Isabella Wolff, Sir Thomas Lawrence Isabella Wolff Sir Thomas Lawrence, 1803–15 The Cloisters, San Lorenzo fuori le mura, Christoffer Wilhelm Eckersberg The Cloisters, San Lorenzo fuori le mura Christoffer Wilhelm Eckersberg, 1824 Woman with a Book, Jonas Welch Holman Woman with a Book Jonas Welch Holman, 1827–30 The Actor Maximilian Korn in a Landscape, Ferdinand Georg Waldmüller The Actor Maximilian Korn in a Landscape Ferdinand Georg Waldmüller, 1828 Pergola with Oranges, Thomas Fearnley Pergola with Oranges Thomas Fearnley, c. 1834 Young Clergyman Reading, Martinus Rørbye Young Clergyman Reading Martinus Rørbye, 1836 Woman with a Green Book (Louisa Gallond Cook), Erastus Salisbury Field Woman with a Green Book (Louisa Gallond Cook) Erastus Salisbury Field, 1838 The Roll Call of the Last Victims of the Terror, Charles Louis-Lucien Muller The Roll Call of the Last Victims of the Terror Charles Louis-Lucien Muller, c. 1850 Interrupted Reading, Jean-Baptiste Camille Corot Interrupted Reading Jean-Baptiste Camille Corot, c. 1870 At the Justice of the Peace, Piet Verhaert At the Justice of the Peace Piet Verhaert, 1878 Woman Reading, Édouard Manet Woman Reading Édouard Manet, 1880–82 Still Life, Hugo Charlemont Still Life Hugo Charlemont, 1883 L'Arlésienne: Madame Joseph-Michel Ginoux (Marie Julien, 1848–1911), Vincent van Gogh L'Arlésienne: Madame Joseph-Michel Ginoux (Marie Julien, 1848–1911) Vincent van Gogh, 1888–89 Girl Reading a Letter, Christjern Schobius Girl Reading a Letter Christjern Schobius, 1898 Child Reading, Henry Lyman Saÿen Child Reading Henry Lyman Saÿen, 1915-1918 The Painter Ernst Goldschmidt Reading, Harald Giersing The Painter Ernst Goldschmidt Reading Harald Giersing, 1915 The Letter, Karl Hofer The Letter Karl Hofer, 1934 Portrait of a Woman with a Prayer Book, Bartholomaeus Bruyn, the younger Portrait of a Woman with a Prayer Book Bartholomaeus Bruyn, the younger, c. 1565 Reading the News at the Weavers' Cottage, Adriaen van Ostade Reading the News at the Weavers' Cottage Adriaen van Ostade, 1673 The Holy Family, Saint Joseph with a Book, Giovanni Battista Tiepolo The Holy Family, Saint Joseph with a Book Giovanni Battista Tiepolo, 1750–59 The Love Letter, Suzuki Harunobu The Love Letter Suzuki Harunobu, 1765 Courtesans of the Obishiya, from the book "Mirror of Beautiful Women of the Pleasure Quarters (Seiro bijin awase sugata kagami)," vol. 2, Katsukawa Shunshō Courtesans of the Obishiya, from the book "Mirror of Beautiful Women of the Pleasure Quarters (Seiro bijin awase sugata kagami)," vol. 2 Katsukawa Shunshō, 1776 No. 2: Chinese boys copying paintings and writing Japanese, from the series "Children Say 'This is Japan!' and Imitate the Games They See in Picturebooks (Yodo iu koitsu wa Nippon, ezoshi o mite yori sono gai ni asobu)", Torii Kiyonaga No. 2: Chinese boys copying paintings and writing Japanese, from the series "Children Say 'This is Japan!' and Imitate the Games They See in Picturebooks (Yodo iu koitsu wa Nippon, ezoshi o mite yori sono gai ni asobu)" Torii Kiyonaga, c. 1791 Angel of the Revelation (Book of Revelation, chapter 10), William Blake Angel of the Revelation (Book of Revelation, chapter 10) William Blake, ca. 1803–5 Illustration of a Chinese poem, from the series "Picture Book of Chinese Poems (Toshi gafu no uchi)", Totoya Hokkei Illustration of a Chinese poem, from the series "Picture Book of Chinese Poems (Toshi gafu no uchi)" Totoya Hokkei, c. 1830/44 Climbing a mountain in Liuzhou, from the series "Picture Book of Chinese Poems (Toshi gafu no uchi)", Totoya Hokkei Climbing a mountain in Liuzhou, from the series "Picture Book of Chinese Poems (Toshi gafu no uchi)" Totoya Hokkei, c. 1830/44 Woman reading, Toyohara Kunichika Woman reading Toyohara Kunichika, 1845 - 1900 Auguste Delâtre, Printer, James McNeill Whistler Auguste Delâtre, Printer James McNeill Whistler, 1858/59 Whistler's Mother, James McNeill Whistler Whistler's Mother James McNeill Whistler, 1871 Nude Girl with Arms Raised, James McNeill Whistler Nude Girl with Arms Raised James McNeill Whistler, 1873/78 Collection of Desires, Wish for Foreign Travel (Mitate Tai zukushi-yōkō ga shitai), Yoshitoshi Collection of Desires, Wish for Foreign Travel (Mitate Tai zukushi-yōkō ga shitai) Yoshitoshi, January, 1878 The Artist's Father Reading, Mary Cassatt The Artist's Father Reading Mary Cassatt, c. 1883 The Little Abbot Reading the Ramayana, Odilon Redon The Little Abbot Reading the Ramayana Odilon Redon, 1883 The Letter, Mary Cassatt The Letter Mary Cassatt, 1890–91 L'Estampe et l'affiche, Jan Mirosław Peszke L'Estampe et l'affiche Jan Mirosław Peszke, [S.l. : s.n.], [1898] Poster for Boon's Illustrated Magazine, Johann Georg van Caspel Poster for Boon's Illustrated Magazine Johann Georg van Caspel, 1900 Don't gum up a book, Arlington Gregg Don't gum up a book Arlington Gregg, [between 1936 and 1940] Book talks, 12:15 to 12:45 noon hour, every Thursday Nov. thru Apr, Unknown artist Book talks, 12:15 to 12:45 noon hour, every Thursday Nov. thru Apr Unknown artist, between 1936 and 1940

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