Art

ENRICHING

YOUTH

LESSON 5

A Young Girl Reading, Jean Honoré Fragonard, 1776

Art History Class Objective: Students of all ages are invited to create their own versions of
numerous great paintings. By the end of the course, participants will be able to identify several
famous paintings as well as learn some historical, cultural, and artistic information.

Fun Facts about A Young Girl Reading (10 minutes)

1- The painting features an unidentified girl wearing a yellow saffron dress, though x-rays have
revealed that the canvas originally featured a different image which Fragonard painted over.
It is one in a series of paintings by Fragonard featuring young girls. It is one of Jean-Honoré
Fragonard’s most simple yet elegant paintings; Young Girl Reading has captivated audiences
throughout the ages with its warmth.
2- The painting was given to the National Gallery of Art in Washington, DC.
3- With her head inclined, the girl is deeply absorbed in the book she is reading, or perhaps
her own daydream. The lack of writing instruments indicates that she reads for pleasure, rather
than academic reasons.
4- Fragonard’s work is intended to be pleasing to the eye above all else, keeping away intellec- A Young Girl Reading, Jean Honoré Frag-
tual pursuits and bringing a sense of joy and warmth to the viewer. onard, 1776. Oil on canvas, 31 15⁄16” × 25
5- Fragonard is asking the viewer to question what she is reading, creating a sense of mystery 1⁄2”.
within the portrait and how it may have an effect on her thoughts and emotions.
6- The brown wall behind the girl provides a strong vertical structure, which combined with Jean Honoré Fragonard (5 minutes): Jean
the horizontal bar of the armrest gives solidity to the composition. By contrast, the girl herself Honoré was born in France. He started
is all softness, with great attention given to the folds of silk, frills, and ribbons that envelope studying art with famous artists since early
her as she reclines against the rosy pillow. childhood and won a prestigious award in
7- The warm tones infuse the composition with a homey sense of comfort. Rome, where he lived for a while. He was
8- To achieve the precise detail of the girl’s collar Fragonard utilized a wooden brush to carve inspired by the Italian gardens, fountains
into the paint. This swordplay technique of painting yields the highly textured results. and mystical landscaping which became a
major part of his paintings (even portraits
Discussions with students (15 minutes): had beautiful landscapes in the back-
1- Notice the girl’s fingers curled in a pleasing interplay of motion around her book. What do ground). When he returned to Paris, he
you think that means? (critics imply that she was enjoying the book she was reading). began to paint pictures of wealthy Parisians
2- How does that painting make you feel? Compare this painting with the previous one of El flamboyantly engaged in the light and
Grecco’s “View of Toledo”; how does that one makes you feel. Does it emmit a pleasing feeling? airy high life. But after the Revolutionary
3- It seems that this painting took a long time to be finished yet it looks like a photographer war (which was the revolution of the poor
took a picture of the reader without her noticing. Do you think the artist asked the model to against the few rich aristocrats) he lost
ignore him? Do you think she was enjoying the book so much that she forgot she was being income and died very poor.
painted?
4- Give an example of a book you’ve read in which you got got so engage in that it made you In his later years, Fragonard worked with
forget or ignore what’s happening around you? his niece on paintings together, each taking
5-Discuss the fashion showcased here: the dress, the headband, the collar. turn.
6- Discuss what makes this painting feel like a photograph?
Jean Honoré Fragonard influenced future
Activity (25 minutes) famous artists, such as Renoir.
Distribute the B&W outline of A Young Girl Reading and ask the students to color it in the
same style as the original. He produced more than 550 artwork in his
lifetime and is considered one of the most
Wrap Up (5 minutes): famous French artists.
Ask the students what was their favorite thing they learned about the painting, the artist, and
anything else.

2020© BlueBeard Creative

ENRICHING

YOUTH
ENRICHING

YOUTH