Gospels Saint Matthew, from Codex EBE 56, folio 4v, 950-1000

Image Copyright: National Library of Greece

Rogier van der Weyden, The Magdalen Reading, 1438

Weyden, Rogier (Roger) van der (c.1399-1464). The Magdalen Reading, before 1438. Oil on mahogany, transferred from another panel, 62.2 x 54.4 cm. Bought 1860 (NG654). National Gallery, London, Great Britain ©National Gallery, London/ Art Resource, NY

Albrecht Dürer, Saint Jerome in His Study, 1514

Duerer, Albrecht (1471-1528). Consignment: COA0093248 (Position : 1) Saint Jerome in his study. 1514. Woodcut. Fondazione Magnani Rocca, Corte di Mamiano, Italy Photo credit: Scala/ Art Resource, NY

Rembrandt's mother as the prophetess Hannah, 1631

Collection Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam

Jean-Honore Fragonard and Marguerite Gerard, The Reader, 1783-5

© Fitzwilliam Museum, University of Cambridge.

John Beaufain Irving, An Amused Reader, 1876

John Beaufain Irving (American, 1825–1877), An Amused Reader, 1876. Oil on panel, 10 x 7 7/8 in. (25.4 x 20 cm). (c) Sterling and Francine Clark Art Institute, Williamstown, Massachusetts, 1955.776

Winslow Homer, Two Girls Looking at a Book, c. 1877

Photograph ©2011 Museum of Fine Arts, Boston

Gerhard Richter, Lesende (Reading), 1994

oil on linen; 28 1/2 in. x 40 1/8 in. (72.39 cm x 101.92 cm); San Francisco Museum of Modern Art, Purchase through the gifts of Mimi and Peter Haas and Helen and Charles Schwab, and the Accessions Committee Fund: Barbara and Gerson Bakar, Collectors Forum, Evelyn D. Haas, Elaine McKeon, Byron R. Meyer, Modern Art Council, Christine and Michael Murray, Nancy and Steven Oliver, Leanne B. Roberts, Madeleine H. Russell, Danielle and Brooks Walker, Jr., Phyllis Wattis, and Pat and Bill Wilson;

© Gerhard Richter