Portret van een zittende vrouw met muts en boek 1860 - 1870

This photograph by Hermanus Siderius features a seated woman with a bonnet, holding a book. In her somber attire and reserved posture, we recognize a visual language of modesty and restraint. The book is more than a mere prop; it's a symbol of knowledge and a nod to the sitter's virtue. Now, consider how the motif of the book appears in Jan van Eyck’s "Arnolfini Portrait." There, too, it signifies piety and literacy, yet its presence is intertwined with themes of wealth and status. Fast forward to Manet's "Olympia," where a book lies discarded, suggesting a deliberate departure from traditional female roles. The act of displaying a book is a recurring gesture laden with meaning. It evolves, adapting to the shifting sands of cultural values, yet its primal connection to knowledge and self-expression endures, speaking to us on a subconscious level about learning, wisdom, and the human quest for understanding.