Lire Collection

French Palmistry Manual
L ART DE LIRE DANS LES LIGNES DE LA MAIN ( The art of reading the lines of the hand ) - a popular French manual

Orpheus playing his lyre. Relief from Thessaloniki. Greece
Orpheus, wearing a Phrygian cap and surrounded by the beasts charmed by the music of his lyre. Relief from Thessaloniki. Greece

San Juan de la Cruz (Juan de Yepes Alvarez) (1542-1591), Spanish writer, theologian and religious

The reader, 1839-42 (engraving)
1969193 The reader, 1839-42 (engraving) by Johannot, Tony (1803-52); Bibliotheque Nationale, Paris, France; (add.info.: The reader. Engraving by T)

Marie-Jeanne Buzeau (1716-1796) (engraving)
1730326 Marie-Jeanne Buzeau (1716-1796) (engraving) by Boucher, Francois (1703-70) (after); (add.info.: Marie-Jeanne Buzeau (1716-1796) wife of painter Francois Boucher reading Heloise

Chaque age a sa maniere de lire (engraving)
3645531 Chaque age a sa maniere de lire (engraving) by French School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Chaque age a sa maniere de lire. Illustration for Le Magasin Pittoresque (1869)

Dame enseignant a lire a une jeune fille, Estampe du seizieme siecle (engraving)
3644595 Dame enseignant a lire a une jeune fille, Estampe du seizieme siecle (engraving) by French School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Dame enseignant a lire a une jeune fille)

Predicting the future from reading coffee grounds, engraved by Charles William Sharpe
CHT223768 Predicting the future from reading coffee grounds, engraved by Charles William Sharpe (1818-99) (engraving) (b/w photo) by Crowley

Assuerus se fait lire le livre des Annales (engraving)
3625955 Assuerus se fait lire le livre des Annales (engraving) by French School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Assuerus se fait lire le livre des Annales)

Palm Reading from Chiromantia by Andrea Corvo, 1581 (colour woodcut)
CHT163345 Palm Reading from Chiromantia by Andrea Corvo, 1581 (colour woodcut) by Italian School, (16th century); Fondazione Giorgio Cini, Venice, Italy; eArchives Charmet; Italian, out of copyright

The Fortune Teller
WAG17561 The Fortune Teller by Clark, Joseph (1834-1926); Wolverhampton Art Gallery, West Midlands, UK; eWolverhampton Art Gallery; English, out of copyright

Dregs in the cup, 1838 (oil on canvas)
NYH149801 Dregs in the cup, 1838 (oil on canvas) by Mount, William Sidney (1807-68); 106.7x132.1 cm; Collection of the New-York Historical Society, USA; eNew York Historical Society; American

Inauguration Of The Monument To Giuseppe Parini, In Milan, 26 November 1899 (colour litho)
2798247 Inauguration Of The Monument To Giuseppe Parini, In Milan, 26 November 1899 (colour litho) by Beltrame, Achille (1871-1945); Private Collection; (add.info)

danet and the Strolling Fortune-Teller, 1859 (oil on canvas)
VFS109737 danet and the Strolling Fortune-Teller, 1859 (oil on canvas) by Cavell, John Scott (fl.1851); 59.7x46.4 cm; Private Collection; English, out of copyright

Reading the Palm (oil on canvas)
STC96384 Reading the Palm (oil on canvas) by Italian School, (18th century); Private Collection; The Stapleton Collection; Italian, out of copyright

Apollo with lire. Roman sculpture after an original of the classical period. The inset eyes are of marble and the eyelashes of bronze. Was found in a Roman villa in Tusculum. Glyptothek. Munich

Lire dans L Evenement. Coeurs virils... par Gabriel Mauriere. A nurse making an appeal to a wounded French soldier. In the background is Rheims Cathedral burning. Date 1914. Lire dans L Evenement

Bank Note - Italy
ITALY - VENTI LIRE

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"Lire: The Art of Reading Beyond Words" From the ancient French palmistry manual to the relief of Orpheus playing his lyre in Greece, the art has fascinated humanity for centuries. Marie-Jeanne Buzeau's exquisite engraving captures the essence of this mystical practice, while San Juan de la Cruz, a Spanish writer and theologian, delves into its spiritual significance. As we explore different epochs, we discover that each age has its unique way of interpreting symbols and signs. A captivating sixteenth-century engraving depicts a lady teaching a young girl how to read, highlighting the importance placed on education during that time. Intriguingly, even renowned figures like Abbe Raynal found themselves caught up in delirium as they sought answers through reading. Meanwhile, Charles William Sharpe's engraved image reveals how some predicted the future by deciphering coffee grounds—a testament to human curiosity and ingenuity. The act of reading extends beyond words alone; it encompasses various forms such as Assuerus immersing himself in the annals or palm readers consulting Andrea Corvo's Chiromantia for guidance. These practices remind us that knowledge can be gleaned from diverse sources. Lastly, "The Fortune Teller" painting portrays an enigmatic figure who holds secrets within her gaze—reminding us that lire is not limited to books but also involves unraveling mysteries hidden within ourselves and others. Similarly, "Dregs in the Cup" captures a moment where divination takes place through examining tea leaves—an art form passed down through generations. In all these instances throughout history and across cultures, lire remains an enchanting pursuit—an exploration into realms unseen yet deeply felt. It invites us to open our minds and hearts to new possibilities—to read between lines both tangible and ethereal—and ultimately discover profound truths about ourselves and our world.