Lately, I've been dreaming with a large, antique portrait for our little white cottage... large, something extra large that I can just place on the floor, and still make an impact.
Isn't this pretty!
Just before Thanksgiving Day I found that kind of a painting I'm dreaming of at our local Goodwill. Two very solemn looking women, probably sisters, dressed in solemn clothes. One was sitting, the other standing by, both dressed in mid-century long dark puffy dresses in a dark background. I felt in love with it immediately, but because I was with my mom and dad and husband at that time, felt it wasn't the right moment to buy, and left. I kept thinking and dreaming with that portray, thought. I had been enchanted by it, and had to know more about it.
A few days later I went back to the store knowing a forehand I wasn't going to find that portrait there any longer... but, still wanted to ask about it anyway. The girl at the cash register then told me a most curious and strange of story ever about that portrait...
"It was haunted" she said, truly believing it was so. When I mentioned how lovely I thought it was, she could hardly believe what I'd said. She was so glad to see it go the very next day they put it out—she said. And went on to explaining how they all thought the portrait had been burned in some fire of sorts, because of how weird to the touch it felt, but that somehow it had survived. And she "could not stand how those creepy eyes followed her around the store whenever she passed by".... so glad it was gone so fast, and so on...
Yes, the portrait was creepy. Beautifully creepy I should say, and maybe that's why I hesitated buying it on the first place? But I regret it now. In value only it's probably more than the 19.99 it sold for. Lesson learned... when you see something you like at a thrift store don't hesitate a minute buying it, or else you'll never see it again. I so wish I had gotten that portrait! Who were those ladies, and who painted them I will never know.
Was it a post-mortem painting maybe? Can you imagine? Now, that would had been truly creepy... if
you don't know it, photographing of deceased loved ones were a normal part of
American and European culture in the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. On this photograph below, must probably the woman on the right was dead.
Last spring I found another
interesting painting at one of our local thrift stores. Now, don't ask me why I found this painting worth
of bringing into our little white cottage, but I did. Eeek! ;))
Creepy? Cute? Well, it
is big, and I like big art pieces, I love the wooden carved frame and muted
colors and at that time I thought it went perfect with the gypsy boho decor in
my gypsy room.
And thus, that's where it remained until that morning I came into the room and saw that big yellow eye shut. Of course, horses have to sleep too, right? ;):) I know I know, I'm sure it must had been some sorts of an optical
illusion or something, but you can say that he ended up in the shed pretty quickly after that. Hehehe... I still find him funky, and awesomely bohemian and might have to bring him in again. Will just have to let him sleep longer before I come in into the room... ;)
By the way, I love reading your comments on the previous post, and any post as a matter of fact... love to hear about your feelings, what you think, and the way you do things in your little world and such. What a treasure you all are to me! Thank you for letting me know that is OK to come here as often as I want... no rules, no blogging etiquette nothing, just be myself... feel free to comment on what you think about my horse painting.... give it away? Tacky? Cute? Keep it? Draw a number and see who wins it? I was thinking maybe I could put him somewhere in my magical garden, or hide him in the woods for some creepy tales?
Hope you're doing well, wherever you are
See you soon!
I would keep him! He is magic! Perfect for a gypsy room!
ReplyDeleteQuerida Cielo, I've been kind of quiet lately and it's been a while since I've commented but I guess you know that I always stop by to visit you. Yours is one of the few blogs that I read faithfully. You have a magic with words. I don't know whether to be dissapointed or relieved that you didn't buy the haunted portrait, especially if it may have been a memento mori. I am always just a tad uneasy for a few days when I buy things at antique stores or goodwill. I had a friend in high school who had a haunted armoire in her house that caused them all sorts of mischeif after they brought it home from the antique store. Good thing you trusted your insticts! I like the unicorn painting and I think that probably he was just winking at you!
ReplyDeleteOh, hola amiga... so good to see you, my friend! I've been trying to reach you for some time now, but couldn't find an email... just to let you know that I've tried leaving you a message on your blog every time I visit, but Wordpress won't let me. Sad. Any reason why?
DeleteAny way, just wanted to let you know that I do visit, and read you. Have a blessed day...
Cielo
How very odd, I can't imagine what could be wrong. I find Wordpress to be a bit difficult to work with and I often wish that I had used Blogger instead. I'm going to go check all the settings to see if I can tweak things and fix it. Gracias por tus visitas amiga. Un gran abrazo!
DeleteI guess ghosts,spirits are afraid of me as none have ever showed themselves. Perhaps, I am the ghost.
ReplyDeleteI, too, think your horse is a magical unicorn. I keep quite a few of them in my house, and if they want to close their eyes sometimes, then that's ok with me. Unicorns are never unlucky for people who love them, so please keep him. He's beautiful! blessing
ReplyDeleteYes, I have heard of that practice, of dressing up and propping up the dead, and taking their pictures. And painting in, the open eyes, after. Interesting. But not something I would applaud. :-)
ReplyDeleteWonder about the beginning of this? Will have to look it up. Something must have prompted, the start of such a custom.....
Your unicorn *should* be, where ever it pleases you. Inside, outside, kept, gone, whatever. Really!
Early Winter blessings,
Luna Crone
I believe, as housetropical above stated, the horse was winking at you..and happy to have been adopted.
ReplyDeleteDear Cielo, I too have heard of this custom. We think it odd, but I'm sure it was an important ritual in it's day, that no doubt brought comfort to the bereaved relatives. It's funny how it seems ghoulish to us, because I am aware through an acquaintance who lost a child at birth, that there are now photographers who specialise in photographing babies and Mothers who have suffered this devastating outcome. The lady I know has some treasured photographs of her little one, dressed as if she were coming home. They bring her enormous comfort, so perhaps really, nothing changes, and it is only social mores that make a thing comforting or creepy. I find them particularly difficult to view, and they are a thing that once seen, cannot be 'unseen', but she does not see a child lost at birth. She sees a beloved daughter, resting in eternal peace, cradled for the first, last and only time, in her adoring Mothers arms. As for your painting of 'the sisters', I am not certain I'd like that particular portrait hanging in my living room. I'd fall into the 'haunted' category, I think! Although the Unicorn is rather magnificent and noble, and I think I'd love him watching over me. And having done so, I'd allow him a little shut-eye! Much love, Mimi xxx
ReplyDeleteWhat a great and creepy post. I'm sorry that you didn't get the portrait. I really hate when I do that.
ReplyDelete:)
ReplyDelete