The Book in Art

This assignment is fairly straightforward. Please follow these directions carefully. Choose three works of art (any period, any genre) currently on view at the National Gallery of Art that feature a book(s), a scene of reading or writing, or evidence of book-culture. Two of these works must date from before the year 1800. The third work you choose might likewise be from before the Industrial Revolution and the advent of the mechanization of printing, but if you like you can choose your third "case study" from the 19th, 20th, or nascent 21st centuries.

Take three photos of each of your chosen artworks. One photo should show the entire composition (include the frame if you like), one should focus on the book-object in closer detail, and one should be a photograph of the museum label. Print these three images on a single sheet of paper.

Write a miniature essay of  around 250-300 words for each that interprets how the book (or scroll, or other evidence of scripted culture) operates in the composition of the artwork. Describe it carefully. What does the book represent, literally and figuratively? How is it typical or atypical of historical conventions? Remember to incorporate the book-history methodologies outlined in Leslie Howsam's book. Also bring to your writing your historical knowledge about biblio-culture that we've been discussing all semester. Don't be afraid of inserting your own views and ideas. Secondary research isn't necessary for this assignment, but it's also not discouraged. Please remember to proofread your texts carefully.


Submit both the "image" page and the "text" page together.

DUE: October 18 at the start of class. Bring a hardcopy of your texts and matching images, and also save all files in electronic format in case we get around to uploading them on a webpage.

SELECTING YOUR WORKS: Because we don't want duplication, each student will need to choose three different works. Once a work has been claimed by a student in the comment box below, it won't be available to others. At the end we'll have 33 different works.

Questions: csmith@corcoran.org