Studies of Hands Holding a Book 19th-20th century

Editor: This is William Valentine Schevill's "Studies of Hands Holding a Book," currently residing at the Harvard Art Museums. It's a simple sketch, but the hands seem so deliberate. What do you make of this piece? Curator: It is interesting to think about the socio-political implications of literacy and knowledge. Who has access to books? Who is being depicted here, and what does their engagement with the book suggest about their social standing and role in society? Editor: So, the act of holding a book becomes a symbol? Curator: Exactly. And how might the artist be commenting on the public role of reading and learning in their time? Think about the time and place in which it was made; How would this image be received by different audiences, considering varying levels of literacy and access to education? Editor: That definitely shifts my perspective. I was only thinking about the individual depicted, not the wider implications! Curator: These images always carry more than what meets the eye, particularly concerning access and power. Editor: I'll certainly keep that in mind moving forward. Thanks for that insight!