Reading Room

The very first impression one gets from this composition is that of a relaxed summer (or late spring) afternoon, ideal for indulging in one's favorite hobbies, like reading, in quiet solitude, preferably in an airy reading nook or a cozy sunroom.

The small details added in the composition is what makes it even more interesting. One first notices the girl's long ears, a clear indication that she is an elf, and thus the realisation dawns that the setting here is the elf world, which further explains the harmonious merging of nature and artificial constructions like the aquarium, the drawers (and the heart-shaped decorations on them), the cuckoo wall-clock, and the nook itself. A subtle reference to Alice's Adventures in Wonderland is also present as the title on one of the books, which hints at the possible identity of the girl and that of the world she inhabits.

The use of lighting and shadows is well executed, with a clearly defined source of light which, though unseen, has a tremendous impact in producing the overall atmospheric vibe in the composition. The sparse meadows and clouds in the background as seen thought the windows complement the grounded yet other-worldly vibe, although foreground is what truly dominates the painting. A few minute details in the background pertaining to the elfish world, just a few, would have done much to accentuate the feel of the composition, without interfering with the foreground but rather highlighting it even more.

The use of colours is lovely as usual, with green dominating the colour palette giving a freshness to the composition. The indication of a light breeze is also portrayed subtly as well as beautifully with the slightly swaying curtains, the greenish blue colour matching with that of the aquarium, which could have looked even more livelier with a few bright coloured fishes in it.

The composition has an extremely calming effect on the viewer, along with a dash of fantasy and hidden mystery which the viewer can speculate on, which has the power to transport them to the world of their imagination, or that of childhood nostalgia pf spending summer vacation afternoons reading ones's favourite fantasy story books. It surely had a similar effect on me!