Studieblad met twee zittende meisjes 1722 - 1784

Michel Barthélémy Ollivier sketched this drawing of two seated girls. The book, held by the girl on the left, transcends its simple form; it's a vessel of knowledge and enlightenment. In ancient Greece, scrolls held similar cultural weight, symbolizing wisdom. Think of the philosophers, their teachings etched on papyrus, echoing through the ages. This motif evolved, transforming into codices during the medieval era, often clutched by saints and scholars. The act of reading has always been psychologically potent. It represents introspection, the turning inward of the mind, suggesting a realm of inner experience. The simple book opens up questions of societal expectation of women and their access to knowledge. This simple scene engages us, reminding us that the quest for knowledge is a cyclical journey, one that continually resurfaces, adapts, and redefines itself across the epochs.