This picture of a girl reading is probably very familiar to many. Painted by Charles Perugini, its title is "Idle Moments" and is most likely a picture of the artist's wife, Kate. Perugini painted portraits of his wife quite often, one of his best known is "A Girl Reading", so there seems to be something of a theme there. The reason could possibly be that Kate was Charles Dickens daughter, or perhaps she was just like me in that she always had her nose in a book.
The card with this illustration was in fact an ad card, to publicise "The Prentice Hall Guide to English Literature" which has the painting on its jacket, almost a good enough reason on its own to buy the book. I do love beautiful books.
One thing stops me from complete admiration though and that's the position of the reader. Do you often read lying down like that? It has me asking myself all sorts of questions
How long did she have to pose in that position?
Was the grass damp?
Was the ground hard?
It's nevertheless a beautiful card and one I was delighted to receive.
This is a post for Postcard Friday, which is hosted by Beth Niquette at The Best Hearts are Crunchy.
Lovely art, but as you say not a very comfortable reading position.
ReplyDeleteIt's certainly a beautiful card, but I agree not a very comfortable reading position.
ReplyDeleteGreat painting, thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful postcard... I don't think I could read in that position very long.
ReplyDeleteIt is a beautiful card and you are correct, I wouldn't last long in that position reading or doing anything else!!!! I enjoyed knowing this was an ad card for a guide to English Lit. Happy PFF!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful!
ReplyDeleteHer position was the first thing I wondered about once I've seen this postcard! Seems comfortable to me!
The leafs above the reading woman give the picture a nice cozy feeling. I always turn and turn when I'm reading in bed or on a sofa. My arm starts sleeping, but I can't stop. Reading - like blogging - is an addictive pleasure. Happy PFF.
ReplyDeleteSo romantic.. Thanks for sharing..
ReplyDeleteHah! I was thinking of her comfort as soon as I saw the picture. I tried reading like that as a child, but it was never very comfortable. Grass stains, ants....anyway I wouldn't try it now at all unless I had someone standing by to help me up.
ReplyDeleteI have tried to lie and read that way...result~stiff neck and back...plus it is very difficult to get up off the ground!
ReplyDeleteI love reading. Sometimes in that postion, but not for long!!!!
ReplyDeleteI had no idea you were Dickens' daughter. You must be quite proud. A bit older than I had pictured you, too. I will try to be more deferential in the future, for both reasons.
ReplyDeleteI DO read in that position, though I try not to show quite so much cleavage. Odd that you should ask. You may not have thought of this, but in that particular reading position it is quite easy to scratch your ear with your foot, catlike, without losing your place.
This is a very beautiful postcard.
I love women like this. They're angelic and lovely and always have a book in their hands. why is it they always find themselves under a tree? lol
ReplyDeleteJust beautiful
ReplyDeleteI like to think a balmy summer day and she was so absorbed in her book she didn't notice how long she was posing
ReplyDeleteIt's a beautiful card and like you I don't think it is the greatest position for reading.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you all agree that the position is an awkward one. Apart from Max, that is. Please do remember to be deferential, Max. That will be a first. :)
ReplyDelete: ) This image is NOT about the cleverness (or not) of reading in that position. The painter conveys the message that she is old enough to know that. She has a...clever age.
ReplyDeleteIn all that darkness from the image, there's a light(er) spot.
Since it's a...light reading, it's not too strenuous for her in that position. She could twist and turn, without losing her concentration.
The light spot in the image is, of course, the book page, to the left.