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The Art of Reading: An Illustrated History of Books in Paint
“Why do artists love books?” This volume takes this tantalizingly simple question as a starting point to reveal centuries of symbiosis between the visual and literary arts. First looking at the development of printed books and the simultaneous emergence of the modern figure of the artist, The Art of Reading appraises works by the many great masters who took inspiration from the printed word. Bringing together more than one hundred paintings that include books as part of their subject matter, this lively and companionable survey examines how the book became the single most ubiquitous feature of our cultural lives and, in large measure, of everyday existence.
Authors Jamie Camplin and Maria Ranauro weave together an engaging cultural history that probes the ways in which books and paintings represent a key to understanding ourselves and the past. Paintings contain a world of information about religion, class, gender, and power, but they also reveal details of everyday life often lost in history texts—and all the more so when books are depicted. Such artworks show us not only how books have been used and valued over time but also how the significance and practice of reading have evolved in Western society.
Featuring work by artists from across Europe and the United States and all painting genres, The Art of Reading explores the two-thousand-year story of the great painters and the preeminent information-providing, knowledge-endowing, solace-giving, belief-supporting, leisure-enriching, pleasure-delivering medium of all time: the book.
Authors Jamie Camplin and Maria Ranauro weave together an engaging cultural history that probes the ways in which books and paintings represent a key to understanding ourselves and the past. Paintings contain a world of information about religion, class, gender, and power, but they also reveal details of everyday life often lost in history texts—and all the more so when books are depicted. Such artworks show us not only how books have been used and valued over time but also how the significance and practice of reading have evolved in Western society.
Featuring work by artists from across Europe and the United States and all painting genres, The Art of Reading explores the two-thousand-year story of the great painters and the preeminent information-providing, knowledge-endowing, solace-giving, belief-supporting, leisure-enriching, pleasure-delivering medium of all time: the book.
256 pages, Hardcover
First published October 2, 2018
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews
December 30, 2022
Yes, indeed. :)
Read
February 1, 2019This history of books and art offers a fascinating look at the past. Books changed, as did the way in which the world perceived readers. Were books a blessing or a threat? Were women readers dangerous or easily led astray—or were they virtuous and educated? As books became more accessible, customs and expectations changed. Reading this, I learned about the history of the book and about common reactions to literacy, but I didn’t feel that I learned very much about art. This book makes references to some works being genius and others mediocre, but it doesn’t go into much detail about why these assessments were made, or even when. (Was the work unappreciated in its time but valued now? Or was it popular then but dismissed later on?) There is very little context for some of the art analyses.
I was also puzzled by some of the historical comments. I think that this book has faced the formidable task of covering a VERY broad history, and for the most part it does it well, but there are some places where the information is a bit muddled. These authors are fond of making extreme statements that are also vague, and which are not supported by any cited source material. For example, books played a huge part in the Reformation, and these authors wrote, “Luther himself approved . . . only of [books] connected to Scripture” (p. 92). They don’t give any context for this, and since they don’t refer the reader to any other work, it’s tough to know just what they’re talking about. Martin Luther lived in a time of censorship and widespread Christianity; when the printers of the day refused to print the Qur’an, Luther fought them on it. Although he was Christian, he believed that people had the right to access books like the Qur’an, and that the printers had an obligation to make those works available. (The Qur’an was printed, because of him, and that particular translation was even printed with a preface by Luther.) So I honestly have no idea what these authors are talking about, since their extreme statement seems to run contrary to the history I’ve studied, and since they aren’t mentioning any other facts, histories, or anecdotes that might support their claim.
The authors also claim, “In the 18th century, reading for pleasure was first discovered by the social elite” (161). Again, I need a little more to go on here, especially from a book that addresses the history of books. I know that the rise of the novel hadn’t yet happened, but I can’t imagine that no one read for pleasure before this. Educational books, particularly for children, were often pleasurable as well, and that doesn’t even take into account the sheer volume of poetry that had been written, much of which recounted dramatic stories. What do they mean? I don’t know. After casually lobbing that bombshell, the authors change the subject and never bring it up again.
This is a very nice book, and it covers a lot of ground. The paintings are reproduced clearly, and each image has a caption, which helps a lot. The entire work is also a celebration of books, and that can be powerful and uplifting. But I would advise people to look carefully at which statements cite sources and which ones don’t. As long as you can take the text with a grain of salt and focus on the artwork, you might enjoy these visual depictions of several centuries’ worth of reading.
I was also puzzled by some of the historical comments. I think that this book has faced the formidable task of covering a VERY broad history, and for the most part it does it well, but there are some places where the information is a bit muddled. These authors are fond of making extreme statements that are also vague, and which are not supported by any cited source material. For example, books played a huge part in the Reformation, and these authors wrote, “Luther himself approved . . . only of [books] connected to Scripture” (p. 92). They don’t give any context for this, and since they don’t refer the reader to any other work, it’s tough to know just what they’re talking about. Martin Luther lived in a time of censorship and widespread Christianity; when the printers of the day refused to print the Qur’an, Luther fought them on it. Although he was Christian, he believed that people had the right to access books like the Qur’an, and that the printers had an obligation to make those works available. (The Qur’an was printed, because of him, and that particular translation was even printed with a preface by Luther.) So I honestly have no idea what these authors are talking about, since their extreme statement seems to run contrary to the history I’ve studied, and since they aren’t mentioning any other facts, histories, or anecdotes that might support their claim.
The authors also claim, “In the 18th century, reading for pleasure was first discovered by the social elite” (161). Again, I need a little more to go on here, especially from a book that addresses the history of books. I know that the rise of the novel hadn’t yet happened, but I can’t imagine that no one read for pleasure before this. Educational books, particularly for children, were often pleasurable as well, and that doesn’t even take into account the sheer volume of poetry that had been written, much of which recounted dramatic stories. What do they mean? I don’t know. After casually lobbing that bombshell, the authors change the subject and never bring it up again.
This is a very nice book, and it covers a lot of ground. The paintings are reproduced clearly, and each image has a caption, which helps a lot. The entire work is also a celebration of books, and that can be powerful and uplifting. But I would advise people to look carefully at which statements cite sources and which ones don’t. As long as you can take the text with a grain of salt and focus on the artwork, you might enjoy these visual depictions of several centuries’ worth of reading.
July 29, 2020
Several super boring opening chapters are compensated for by numerous paintings with (almost always) witty commentary. The abundance of illustration in this edition made me really happy and gave me several hours of pure enjoyment
November 6, 2018
My two passions – Books and Art – what a joy!
When I was given this book to review I thought all my Christmases had come at once! To have a book about books in art is truly inspired, given that a good painting provides an insight into the sitter, to include a book seems to me to be eminently logical. Sitters are human, and humans love to read.
Since humans learned to write, the printed word has been a succour, whether in the form of ancient parchments, religious guidance, biographies, a useful handbook or, of course, the fictional novel.
The authors both have a background in history, Camplin as a writer and Ranauro as an art historian. They both have worked for Thames and Hudson and so have been in a prime position to know what makes a good read. This one is excellent.
Not all artists have loved books, but a great many have, and this book reflects how paintings began to feature books as more people became literate. The beginnings of the symbiotic relationship between the two media can be identified in ancient illuminated manuscripts where art was used to glorify the words on the page.
This book looks at 165 paintings where books can tell us about life over time; social history lessons in major topics such as gender, class, education and leisure.
For me, the first real portrait is by a Russian artist, Ilya Repin, who painted his friend Vsevolod Mikhailovich Garshin in 1884. The pain and sadness in the image cannot be mistaken and reflects his sorrow at the suicides of his father and brother and the prospect of his own four years later. Are the books and papers on his desk related to his inheritance or to his work? We cannot know, but clearly, they are offering him no comfort.
In contrast, other paintings look at books in a peaceful domestic setting, while others appear in paintings about human’s pleasures. On page 187, we see a ‘ménage à trois’ as the man sits reading in the presence of two of the artist’s lovers. One of my favourites is Neue Sachlichkeit on page 192, which satirises the petite bourgeoisie and features Berlin’s Die Grune Post, the ‘Sunday newspaper for City and Country’.
Books are shown as things of wisdom, whether a painting shows a mother reading to a child or a country gent posed in front of his bookcase.
This is not a book to read in one sitting but to dip into over a period, to enjoy at leisure.
Pashtpaws
Breakaway Reviewers received a copy of the book to review.
When I was given this book to review I thought all my Christmases had come at once! To have a book about books in art is truly inspired, given that a good painting provides an insight into the sitter, to include a book seems to me to be eminently logical. Sitters are human, and humans love to read.
Since humans learned to write, the printed word has been a succour, whether in the form of ancient parchments, religious guidance, biographies, a useful handbook or, of course, the fictional novel.
The authors both have a background in history, Camplin as a writer and Ranauro as an art historian. They both have worked for Thames and Hudson and so have been in a prime position to know what makes a good read. This one is excellent.
Not all artists have loved books, but a great many have, and this book reflects how paintings began to feature books as more people became literate. The beginnings of the symbiotic relationship between the two media can be identified in ancient illuminated manuscripts where art was used to glorify the words on the page.
This book looks at 165 paintings where books can tell us about life over time; social history lessons in major topics such as gender, class, education and leisure.
For me, the first real portrait is by a Russian artist, Ilya Repin, who painted his friend Vsevolod Mikhailovich Garshin in 1884. The pain and sadness in the image cannot be mistaken and reflects his sorrow at the suicides of his father and brother and the prospect of his own four years later. Are the books and papers on his desk related to his inheritance or to his work? We cannot know, but clearly, they are offering him no comfort.
In contrast, other paintings look at books in a peaceful domestic setting, while others appear in paintings about human’s pleasures. On page 187, we see a ‘ménage à trois’ as the man sits reading in the presence of two of the artist’s lovers. One of my favourites is Neue Sachlichkeit on page 192, which satirises the petite bourgeoisie and features Berlin’s Die Grune Post, the ‘Sunday newspaper for City and Country’.
Books are shown as things of wisdom, whether a painting shows a mother reading to a child or a country gent posed in front of his bookcase.
This is not a book to read in one sitting but to dip into over a period, to enjoy at leisure.
Pashtpaws
Breakaway Reviewers received a copy of the book to review.
April 10, 2019
I would call this a Nice Book. I liked it, nothing wrong with it. The book is fairly small in size, the pictures are small and not glossy, but that's okay, they're nice. The text was readable, although I read this three weeks ago and don't remember much about it already, it was nice enough. And since I love art, and books, painting of people reading books would of course appeal to me, so that's nice, too.
January 22, 2019
Enjoyed looking at the paintings, it read too much like a text book for me.
December 9, 2021
If you haven't been aware of how often artists include readers in their paintings, you will be by the time you finish this book. And if you can't make it through the well-researched and scholarly opening chapters, just looking at the paintings (more than 150) and reading their hefty descriptions are enough to provide insights and foster an appreciation for this work. The book is limited to Western art from the 15th century to the present, but it's more than enough to get you started. My favorites: Winslow Homer's "The New Novel", James Jebus Shannon's "Jungle Tales", and Sir John Lavery's "The Green Hammock". Thoroughly enjoyable.
August 29, 2021
Which came first - the "artist" or the "book"?
I bought the book for the images of the book in paintings through the years. Bonus was the history of how the rise in popularity and access to books helped the rise of the recognition of painters as "artists".
I bought the book for the images of the book in paintings through the years. Bonus was the history of how the rise in popularity and access to books helped the rise of the recognition of painters as "artists".
March 26, 2023
I enjoyed flipping through (most 😂 of) the pictures but found the writing style dry and unengaging. Many paintings not included were mentioned by name and it was hard to have to regularly wade through the captions to figure out which was actually being presented, and by what artist.
November 17, 2019
I admit I did not closely read all the text parts of this books, but I enjoyed the many paintings that were included, and the text I did skim through was good.
March 31, 2025
What a fascinating book! Because I have a passion for books and art, this was a perfect book for me…& why it caught my attention.
July 4, 2026
Our local library is doing renovations, and put out a a call for patrons to 'borrow big' so they don't have to shift as many books around. I might never have seen this book if I wasn't perusing the art-book shelves for this reason.
The text focuses on the changes books have made to society, through the proliferation of reading among all classes of people. Sometimes books in these paintings are shown for wealth, sometimes for learning, and occasionally as symbols of depravity. Sometimes writers lamented that books had made learning accessible to all, especially women, who they claimed were reading novels instead of more elevating works.
The many paintings depicted are high quality illustrations, each with a paragraph of text describing something that makes it pertinent to the author's thesis, often pointing out details that might be missed in a casual glance. The book is best savored slowly, in my opinion.
My one small complaint is that in the text portion the authors often made passing references to paintings, causing me to search for the image described online. The painting may appear much later in the book and I think the initial text reference would have been helped by having a page number reference to the painting.
A favorite quote is from a German clergyman in 1796:
Or this 1795 quote from A Plea to My Nation: on the Plague of German Literature
The text focuses on the changes books have made to society, through the proliferation of reading among all classes of people. Sometimes books in these paintings are shown for wealth, sometimes for learning, and occasionally as symbols of depravity. Sometimes writers lamented that books had made learning accessible to all, especially women, who they claimed were reading novels instead of more elevating works.
The many paintings depicted are high quality illustrations, each with a paragraph of text describing something that makes it pertinent to the author's thesis, often pointing out details that might be missed in a casual glance. The book is best savored slowly, in my opinion.
My one small complaint is that in the text portion the authors often made passing references to paintings, causing me to search for the image described online. The painting may appear much later in the book and I think the initial text reference would have been helped by having a page number reference to the painting.
A favorite quote is from a German clergyman in 1796:
No lover of tobacco or coffee, no wine drinker or lover of games, can be as addicted to their pipe, bottle, games or coffee table as those many hungry readers are to their reading habit.
Or this 1795 quote from A Plea to My Nation: on the Plague of German Literature
Heinzmann complained that too many books were published, that they prevented people from thinking for themselves, and that they showed no respect or interest in the past. The obsession with reading resulted in 'oversensitiity, susceptibility to colds, headaches, poor eyesight, heat rash, gout, arthritis, hemorrhoids, asthma, apoplexy, lung disease, poor digestion, constipation, nervous disorders, migraines, epilepsy, hypochondria and melancholy.'
June 23, 2026
Being far from an art museum this lovely title gave me a great Sunday afternoon looking at art works that feature a book or books in the painting.
The title is divided into two sections, the first one focuses on about 70 pages of text of giving an overview of why books are featured in paintings while I skimmed this it is on my agenda for later reading. This is followed by part two which is divided into what is called four galleries where one turns page after of extremely well done painting reproductions with a paragraph about the painting. Time period covers early art religious art through the 1900’s.
Definitely I will spend another Sunday afternoon with this title.
This title first published by Thames & Hudson Ltd. In London and in the United States by Getty Publications, Los Angeles in 2018 is extremely well constructed as a book. Size is just a little larger than a regular title, not the oversize, over heavy art bookmaking it easily physically accessible.
And oh the quality paper on which it is printed and oh the wonderful feel of that quality paper that enhances the reproduction of the art works is super.
Unfortunately there was no indication as to the type of paper used.
The title is divided into two sections, the first one focuses on about 70 pages of text of giving an overview of why books are featured in paintings while I skimmed this it is on my agenda for later reading. This is followed by part two which is divided into what is called four galleries where one turns page after of extremely well done painting reproductions with a paragraph about the painting. Time period covers early art religious art through the 1900’s.
Definitely I will spend another Sunday afternoon with this title.
This title first published by Thames & Hudson Ltd. In London and in the United States by Getty Publications, Los Angeles in 2018 is extremely well constructed as a book. Size is just a little larger than a regular title, not the oversize, over heavy art bookmaking it easily physically accessible.
And oh the quality paper on which it is printed and oh the wonderful feel of that quality paper that enhances the reproduction of the art works is super.
Unfortunately there was no indication as to the type of paper used.
April 14, 2021
I'm fond of books that deal with the artistic world, especially with painters during the XIXth century, so I thought it would be interesting to also study it the other way round, and get acquainted with paintings that deal with books. And there I bought "The Art of Reading". It was very interesting : the first part is divided in different chapters that explore the evolution of the "book", and how it has been perceived through history, as well as the evolution of the "artists", mostly printings. Basically it analyses the link between painters and book/writers/readers. Easy to follow and quite interesting. The second part is made up of "galleries" of different themes : it is very pleasant, almost like going to an exhibition. What's more : each painting has a small text aside explaining the context and refering to the topic studied. However, don't expect any deep analysis of the paintings : you will be disappointed.
The book in itself is absolutely beautiful, with a good paper quality that render the many illustrations very agreeable to peruse.
The book in itself is absolutely beautiful, with a good paper quality that render the many illustrations very agreeable to peruse.
February 20, 2019
So The Art of Reading: An Illustrated History of Books in Paint by Jamie Camplin and Maria Ranauro was one of the books my dad got me for Christmas that I was super excited to read. I decided that because of the art book format I was going to read this book slowly in tiny bits, but very early on it became evident that this book was not what I had really hoped it would be. While this book is very beautiful to look at and admire for the paintings, it is lacking in what I was expecting, and could really improve in how it presents the main focus which is the artwork. While I really enjoyed the descriptions of each painting it drove me a bit crazy that they did not include the artistic medium, collection, basically the proper citation for the artwork with the artwork. To get that information you have to go all the way to the back of the book where it is all smooshed together in minuscule print. Overall this is a great book for coffee table purposes or if you just want a book with a collection of art all themed around reading to look at, but the text and information provided along side the paintings are what took away from the overall enjoyment of this book. As someone who took multiple art history classes in college I really wanted more.
April 10, 2022
The first 70 pages of The Art of Reading bear striking resemblance to a university term paper with how’s and why’s dissected and footnoted, enlightening the reader on the genesis, evolution and spread of books from ancient civilizations to modern day. The remaining 180 pages showcase paintings in every artistic style featuring books being read, sold or displayed as items of worth and prestige. Included are Botticelli’s “The Madonna of the Book” (1483); Winslow Homer’s “The New Novel” (1877); and Edward Hopper’s “People in the Sun” (1960). It makes for dry reading, but educational and filled with beautiful paintings.
December 1, 2022
This is a delightful book, beautifully written, presented and produced, the art work is stunning. What is not to love about a book that takes you through the development of books and paintings together. With books like this I tend to judge them on whether I felt the need to write down some of the more pithy comments, observations and quotes, I made a lot of notes and I end this review with the final lines from the book itself:
'Throughout its history, the book has remained the epitome of knowledge, authority and education...No wonder that Shakespeare's Prospero decided that his library is "dukedom large enough".'
'Throughout its history, the book has remained the epitome of knowledge, authority and education...No wonder that Shakespeare's Prospero decided that his library is "dukedom large enough".'
February 10, 2019
Western Focus
Other than the mention of Achebe, no one of color.
As an Art History Major in college...I too saw no one after the bust of Nefrititi that looked like me. (Side note: I was a bit tickled at all of the white Christian art. We can no longer be blind to the fact, Jesus, his mother and the Apostles were African, not european)
However, this was a trip down memory lane with two things I enjoy greatly.
Other than the mention of Achebe, no one of color.
As an Art History Major in college...I too saw no one after the bust of Nefrititi that looked like me. (Side note: I was a bit tickled at all of the white Christian art. We can no longer be blind to the fact, Jesus, his mother and the Apostles were African, not european)
However, this was a trip down memory lane with two things I enjoy greatly.
October 19, 2019
This work of art is filled with anecdotes and stories surrounding each painting's creation and origin. My favorite phrase is in page 144: Do paintings tell better stories than books? And my favorite quote is in a chapter of the same title: 'compressed within books could be found "the assembled souls of all that men held wise"'
There are a total of 164 images of which 70 depict women, 34 depict men, 22 show mostly objects, 38 contain multiple subjects.
For the love of books, and art.
There are a total of 164 images of which 70 depict women, 34 depict men, 22 show mostly objects, 38 contain multiple subjects.
For the love of books, and art.
May 14, 2019
A delightful if cursory look at books in paintings. Short essays discuss common subject matter and chronicle the history of books as it relates to the time period of the paintings. The last half is paintings with short blurbs interpreting them in relation to the books that feature within them. Nothing profound, but it’s a pleasure to look at all the books that show up in paintings.
December 27, 2023
A book very much bought by me for its visual appeal and (appropriately) the fairly high production standard for a general interest art book. The essays are okay although not particularly revelatory to anyone who has done any thinking about the topic. The shorter accompanying captions often display a wit and intelligence absent from the longer essays. A book for booklovers first and foremost.
June 16, 2024
A fun book. With high quality prints of the relevant work, the author takes you into painting developing the theme of the title. Quite ingenious actually, as the books we read tell us much about ourselves and hence naturally are excellent tools for the artist to reinforce the messages of the painting.
November 29, 2018
Those who love both books and painting will wallow in this volume published by Thames & Hudson. The text may be a bit academic for some readers, but it's the perfect blend of essays and reproductions. Ah, books and art -- does it get any better than this?
April 12, 2019
Such a wonderful book! Paintings of books and people reading book are some of my favorite art. The reproductions are quite good and the text is approachable. It was relaxing and enjoyable to read, as well as informative.
June 10, 2019
I loved the historical aspect of how art and books have coincided since the beginning. Every art photograph is beautiful, and I found the book a work of art all by itself. If you are an art and history lover, you will genuinely enjoy this book.
June 28, 2019
Like an art exhibit in a fine museum. Great.
August 28, 2019
An interesting topic that has not received much attention - art and books. Very enjoyable.
February 3, 2020
Enjoyable and informative
May 25, 2020
Not what I expected.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews