“When in doubt, go to the library.” On this day our favorite heroine, Hermione Jean Granger, turns the big 4-0 and we’re celebrating her birthday in a magical way – by talking about books in our collection and the women who read them. Since the early 14th century, works of art have been depicting women who read and on September 19th, we will talk about why this is, the many joys of reading, and everything Hermione taught us from her many trips to the library. Come and dress up like your favorite witch and join our art-history book club.

shown (left): Thomas W. Dewing, Portrait in a Brown Dress (detail) ca. 1908. Currently on view.