Lezende man in een bibliotheek 1850 - 1910

This etching, entitled 'Reading Man in a Library' is by Fr. van Groeningen. Though undated, we might guess that it was made in the Netherlands in the late 19th century. The image depicts a man overwhelmed by his books. His face is obscured, but we can see the weariness in his posture, suggesting that intellectual life can be a heavy burden. Libraries were, and are, institutions that give access to knowledge. In the 19th century, they became more widespread, even as they were being coded by class and gender. The democratization of knowledge came to be seen as essential for the advancement of society. But what does it mean to have all that knowledge at your fingertips? To be able to read so many books, but never really understand them? Understanding the social role of libraries, universities, and the book trade itself might shed light on this fellow's weary attitude. After all, art doesn't exist in a vacuum. It's always a product of its time.