Book Illustration n.d.

This book illustration was made by Thomas Bewick, during a time of significant social and cultural changes in England. Bewick’s engravings often highlighted the realities of rural life. Yet this piece complicates that narrative. A woman and child are seen together in what appears to be a library, surrounded by books that were becoming more accessible to the emerging middle classes. However, access to education during this period was greatly influenced by class and gender, with women's education often restricted to accomplishments that would enhance their marriage prospects. Notice the letter ‘D’ above the door, perhaps indicating the family name. The act of reading here suggests a shared intimacy and domesticity, but the image is framed by the economic and social disparities of the time. It asks us to consider the roles of education and literacy in shaping individual and familial identities.