Seated Man Reading, Facing Right 1690 - 1700

Editor: Here we have Cornelis Dusart's "Seated Man Reading, Facing Right," created sometime between 1690 and 1700. It's a delicate drawing, pencil and watercolor on paper. I'm immediately struck by how…ordinary he seems. He could be anyone, anywhere. What do you see in this piece? Curator: I see a moment pregnant with possibility. It's not just a portrait; it’s a genre scene capturing a private act. Think about the context: literacy was still a privilege for many. What power dynamics are at play when some can access knowledge, while others are denied? Who gets to read, what they read, and how that shapes their world—these are deeply political questions. Editor: So, you're saying the simple act of reading can be seen as…activism? Or maybe access to a certain level of freedom? Curator: Perhaps "quiet" resistance is a better term. Look at his posture—head bowed, engrossed. Reading is an active choice, a form of self-determination. It takes courage and commitment. And the way he's seated, alone, also speaks volumes about class and leisure in the Dutch Golden Age. Does his dress denote him as a scholar, merchant, or laborer? That answer impacts my read of him as a reader, don't you think? Editor: I didn't initially consider his class. It is interesting to see the possibilities reading gave people back then. It encourages us to ask who gets to author their own narratives and control the distribution of ideas. Curator: Exactly. What are the means and spaces for expression in our modern moment? Dusart gives us a springboard for reflection and action in the here and now. Editor: This has really changed my perception of the work!