The Artist and his Model

Alexei Alexeevich Harlamoff (Russian, 1840-1925) - The Artist and his Model, 1875 (Oil on canvas) - - Harlamoff portrayed reading women many times in his later work, and he depicted this young reader as a model. The mirror in this painting reveals Harlamoff in his studio in Paris. By disguising his self-portrait in a mirror, the artist evokes the well-known imagery of Rembrandt and Velazquez, two Old Masters whom he is known to have admired…

 

Green Stockings

Ulisse Caputo (Italian, 1872-1948) - Green Stockings, 1914 (Oil on canvas) - - Caputo first exhibited in the 1900 Venice Biennale. He painted genre subjects, often finely dressed and in intimate familial situations. Here, the lady takes a break from her reading but maintains her place in the narrative with a finger…

 

Clotilde in the Studio

Joaquin Sorolla y Bastida (Spanish, 1863-1923) - Clotilde in the Studio (Oil on canvas. Museo Sorolla - Madrid) - - Sorolla’s wife Clotilde was his confidant, traveling companion, bookkeeper (or in his words, “my Treasury Minister”), and muse. In this work, set in their studio, she poses reading wearing a simple grey dress. In front of her, somewhat dominating the composition, is a pot of flowers and a large portfolio, likely containing sketches and other artwork…