Lezende oude vrouw 1749 - 1806

Editor: Here we have "Lezende oude vrouw," or "Old Woman Reading," an engraving by Francesco del Pedro, dating somewhere between 1749 and 1806. I’m immediately struck by the almost photographic realism, particularly in the details of her face. What captures your attention most about this piece? Curator: You know, it's funny, the realism pulls me in too, but then I'm distracted by the sort of theatre of it all, isn’t it? She’s presented in this arched window-like space, almost like a character in a play. And that light! It isolates her and whatever story she's engrossed in, maybe illuminating a secret within a secret. Does that make sense? Editor: Yes, that makes total sense! The framing really does add a sense of drama. Do you think there’s any symbolic meaning to her reading within that window? Curator: Maybe it speaks to knowledge as a window to another world, or perhaps, in her later years, books offer her an escape, a private haven. And given the time period, access to literacy and literature would have been very different, particularly for women, don't you think? Maybe that's part of the story too, the quiet revolution of a woman and a book. It's an invitation, don't you feel? What does she see when she's reading this story? What's she bringing from it? Editor: I hadn't thought about the context of female literacy at the time; that’s a really insightful point. I was so focused on the visual elements, I completely missed the deeper social commentary that could be present. Thanks for sharing that. Curator: Anytime. Isn't it delightful how a simple image can open a world? It always ends up that I’ve learned even more!