Old man reading a book 1889

Joaquín Agrasot painted this image of an old man reading a book with oil on canvas. The central motif here is the book itself, an object laden with centuries of symbolism, of knowledge, enlightenment, and introspection. We see this motif echoed throughout history, from ancient Egyptian scrolls to medieval illuminated manuscripts. The act of reading, as depicted here, is not merely a pastime, but a profound engagement with the collective wisdom of humanity. In the image of a wise old man, reading is a symbolic echo of the ancient philosophers, connecting to classical ideals of wisdom and contemplation. Consider the image of Saint Jerome in his study, a common subject in Renaissance art. Like Agrasot’s old man, Jerome is surrounded by books, immersed in thought. These recurring images across different eras reveal the enduring power of the book as a symbol. Agrasot’s painting, however, shifts away from the religious symbolism of the past, hinting at the rise of secular knowledge. It is a cyclical return, yet forever changed.