The artwork, titled “Reading Lesson,” was created by Auguste Toulmouche in 1865. Executed in oil on canvas, this piece adheres to the Academicism art movement. The genre painting, currently housed in the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston, Massachusetts, measures 36.5 by 27.6 centimeters.
In the artwork, a tranquil domestic scene unfolds, showcasing a moment of intimate instruction. A young girl, dressed in a pristine white dress, sits on a red upholstered footstool, her delicate hands holding a small red book. She is flanked by an elegantly dressed woman, presumably her tutor or mother, who assists her in the reading activity. The background is dominated by a grand piano with sheet music positioned upon it, suggesting a cultured and refined environment. The woman’s blue velvet dress contrasts vividly with the more muted tones of the room, highlighting her presence. This oil painting captures the essence of 19th-century bourgeois life, emphasizing themes of education and maternal guidance.
