Throughout the ages, women reading have often been the subject of paintings. This simple act of showing women engaging in a leisure activity often has had deeper connotations than what we might realize today: In the past and at different historical eras, education was reserved for only women of wealthier classes, seen as preparation for marriage, and viewed as dangerous.
Paintings of women reading — often painted by men, and sometimes by women — give the viewer varying ranges of ability to gaze upon the subjects during private moments where a woman has a book in her hands, sometimes with the woman looking back at the subject, sometimes with her turning away and sometimes with her oblivious to the viewer at all. Through these viewpoints, artists make a variety of statements, offering their commentary on the appropriateness and purpose of the task.
In light of these layers of meaning, let’s not forget that women’s opportunities and abilities to read freely in the current moment — and our ability to dismiss images of women reading as mundane — have been hard-won by those who have lived before us; let’s exercise our right to read remembering that still today, many women around the world are not able to read, accounting for ⅔ of approximately 781 million people who are illiterate globally, according to the National Literacy Institute.
Here, we recreate the painting “Lydia Reading the Morning Paper (No. 1),” by Mary Cassatt, 1878-1879 by reimagining it in the present day. May this photo help us to reflect on the ways we read now and how that has changed throughout the decades, and inspire us to continue to take up this privilege to think, to enjoy, to connect, making the world and ourselves better through the free and open exchange of ideas and perspectives.
Tell us about your relationship with reading.
I grew up bilingual and had to go to a class we all now know as English as a Second Language (ESL), but I didn’t know that, being the only child in this class at the time. I thought I was being punished, and other kids would say I had to go to this class because I was special. Not in a good way. I was forced to read everyday, and honestly, didn’t enjoy it. Once I was in junior high school, I actually fell in love with reading and would spend my free time reading.
Why do you read? What do you read most often?
I read mainly to escape from the real world. I really enjoy reading romance fantasy novels and thrillers, but will occasionally read a self-help book. I try to keep a healthy balance.
What is a text that has impacted your life or the way you view the world, and how has it changed you?
“I love what heartbreak does to me. It makes me feel alive. It makes me return back home to myself. It makes me appreciate the love that remains. It teaches me that I am the common denominator in what feels like a movie about great love, and therefore, I am the love. I bring the love. I birth the love. I nurture the love. And I also hold its hand as it dies. Heartbreak reminds me that I am powerful beyond measure, and my power is love.” — Nat
I’ve had a lot of heartbreak in my life and feeling like I’ve had no control over my emotions, but after reading this quote, it changed my perspective on what heartbreak does to me. I’ve been going back to this quote quite often when I need reassurance.
What are three pieces of writing you recommend to others?
“El Lugar Correcto” by Natalia Lafourcade. 10/10 song about finding yourself and appreciating the beauty of life.
Throne of Glass book series by Sarah J. Maas. Fell in love with this series as an adult after taking a long break from reading. It helped fuel my passion for reading again.
“Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind.” A movie starring Kate Winslet and Jim Carrey. I feel like it’s one of those movies you should watch at least once in your life.
What is your favorite line from a book?
There are many, but the first one that comes to mind at the moment is this: “I am the rock against which the surf crashes. Nothing can break me.” — From “A Court of Silver Flames” by Sarah J. Maas
