I trespass on Harriet Devine's territory here, but I have just bought myself a calendar, each month illustrated by a painting of a woman (or a lady - often both!) reading, from a wide range of social, geographical and historical backgrounds. And I notice that both my editions of the Oxford Companion to English Literature and its Cambridge counterpart, the Guide to Literature in English, have covers sporting the same visual trope: Gwen John's A Lady Reading for Oxford, and Red Berries by Albert Joseph Moore (who he?) for Cambridge. The two pictures are shown here, but as for the calendar ...
I have set myself the challenge of showing you the ladies of the calendar (not, in spite of my come hither title, I hasten to say, the Calendar Girls!) one by one through the year, taking some guess as to their reading matter. I hope Harriet will forgive me - and also help me when I get stuck. It does occur to me that it would be hard to have a calendar of (gentle)men reading, but that might be my ignorance?
I have this calendar which I just love. I believe I bought this after seeing it on your blog. This is one calendar that will not be thrown out at the end of the year.
Posted by: JenDee | Monday, 02 March 2009 at 09:36 AM
The second painting is very nice; I love how the white and feeble light of a winter day is rendered. One could even imagine it's a snowy day.
Posted by: Glo | Thursday, 08 January 2009 at 02:13 AM
I do forgive you of course -- especially as there is nothing to forgive. Looks like a lovely and inspiring calendar!
Posted by: Harriet | Thursday, 25 December 2008 at 04:43 PM