Reading the Sonnet 

Joseph Lorusso painted "Reading the Sonnet" using oil on canvas. At first glance, the painting envelops the viewer in a warm, intimate atmosphere. The subject, a woman reclining on a sofa, is bathed in soft light, which emphasizes the textures of the fabric and her skin. The composition is structured around the diagonal line of her body, creating a sense of relaxed repose. Lorusso’s brushwork is loose and painterly, which adds a tactile quality to the scene. The interplay between light and shadow is particularly striking. The light doesn't just illuminate; it sculpts the forms, accentuating the curves of her body and the folds of the sofa. Note how the muted palette of ochre, sienna, and crimson creates a harmonious visual experience. The act of reading, is not simply about narrative but how we engage with and interpret the world around us through language and art. The painting challenges fixed meanings, inviting us to consider the subjective nature of experience.