Studying Art Abroad, and How to do it Cheaply
Dublin Core
Title
Studying Art Abroad, and How to do it Cheaply
Description
This book about how to study art abroad is written by May Alcott Nieriker, presumably the same May Alcott that illustrated the original Little Women. It is interesting that May Alcott writes this book because it points to the similarities between the real May Alcott (Luisa’s sister) and the character of Amy March in the novel, supporting the notion that Little Women is based on Luisa Alcott’s real life. Just like Amy March, May Alcott writes in this book about her love of art, as well as her travels throughout Europe to study and perfect her artistic abilities.
Over the course of the novel, Amy transforms from a somewhat lazy and selfish little girl to a mature, focused, caring, and determined woman. Her change is most evident when she travels abroad to study art. In fact, when she spends time with Laurie abroad she even lectures him about his recent pointless moping and encourages him to be more productive and positive toward his musical aspirations and his family. It seems as though it is Amy’s trip to Europe to study art in which she really changes and matures. In Studying Art Abroad, and How to Do it Cheaply, May Alcott Nieriker is promoting this same experience that Amy has, which Alcott reveals she has had in her lifetime as well. Perhaps this how-to guide to traveling and studying art is meant to complement May’s sister's novel, Little Women. Looking at the sisters’ texts together seems to reveal a shared belief that traveling and studying a discipline like art is beneficial to young women, as it benefitted Amy in the novel and May in her real life.
In addition to writing about her art studies abroad, there is one illustration at the very beginning of Studying Art Abroad, and How to do it Cheaply. The illustration seems to be of a beautiful and elaborate castle on a faraway land. Below the castle, a caption reads "ever let the fancy roam." In addition to the text itself, this illustration seems to be encouraging readers to travel or "roam." As a viewer of the illustration, it is hard not to be drawn in and interested in the mysterious and intricate castle, and therefore want to travel and possibly find it, or beautiful and interesting landmarks like it. By opening the book with this illustration, May Alcott Nieriker sets the stage for the promotion of travel and art study that will take place in the text, as well as in her sister Luisa's novel, Little Women.
Over the course of the novel, Amy transforms from a somewhat lazy and selfish little girl to a mature, focused, caring, and determined woman. Her change is most evident when she travels abroad to study art. In fact, when she spends time with Laurie abroad she even lectures him about his recent pointless moping and encourages him to be more productive and positive toward his musical aspirations and his family. It seems as though it is Amy’s trip to Europe to study art in which she really changes and matures. In Studying Art Abroad, and How to Do it Cheaply, May Alcott Nieriker is promoting this same experience that Amy has, which Alcott reveals she has had in her lifetime as well. Perhaps this how-to guide to traveling and studying art is meant to complement May’s sister's novel, Little Women. Looking at the sisters’ texts together seems to reveal a shared belief that traveling and studying a discipline like art is beneficial to young women, as it benefitted Amy in the novel and May in her real life.
In addition to writing about her art studies abroad, there is one illustration at the very beginning of Studying Art Abroad, and How to do it Cheaply. The illustration seems to be of a beautiful and elaborate castle on a faraway land. Below the castle, a caption reads "ever let the fancy roam." In addition to the text itself, this illustration seems to be encouraging readers to travel or "roam." As a viewer of the illustration, it is hard not to be drawn in and interested in the mysterious and intricate castle, and therefore want to travel and possibly find it, or beautiful and interesting landmarks like it. By opening the book with this illustration, May Alcott Nieriker sets the stage for the promotion of travel and art study that will take place in the text, as well as in her sister Luisa's novel, Little Women.
Creator
May Alcott Nieriker
Source
Hathitrust
Publisher
Roberts Brothers
Date
1879
Rights
The University of Wisconsin Library
Format
octavo, 98 pages, 1 illustration
Type
Nonfiction, "how to"/travel book
Files
Citation
May Alcott Nieriker, “Studying Art Abroad, and How to do it Cheaply,” Manhattan College Omeka , accessed October 19, 2024, https://omeka-pilot.manhattan.edu/items/show/35.