Friday, June 18, 2010

x-ray vision and magic scissors

This is the last installment in my "share the museum trip" posts...

Don't you think it would be fascinating to x-ray the old oil paintings and see what they painted out? Painters used to- and still do- recycle their canvases for economy or for correcting boo-boos or for just plain not liking the first attempt at a creative urge with the brush.
The painting above was painted over and, as it says below, they suspect it was the childrens' mother sitting in the chair that was painted out and the dog put in her place because she died before the painting was finished.


My thought was... wouldn't you want to keep her in the painting even more in that case? For the young children to remember her... since in those days there were no Polaroids or digital shots of her? What do you think?

I am sure you all know this story...Sampson and Delilah.


See the scissors in her hand?

7 comments:

Betty said...

I so agree with you. Why would they paint out the mother unless she was a mean old....
I didn't even notice the scissors. Good eyes!

Mrs.Kwitty said...

I agree too, I would think it would be a given to leave the mother in the picture...how very odd.
I do see the scissors, weird...I'm pretty sure they didn't have scissors back in the days of Samson and Delilah?? right??

Smiles, Karen
glad you stopped by my blog today...I stop by here now and again too (your posts are always interesting) but don't always leave comments :o)

a Pocket Angel said...

Amy, Oh how sad thatthe Mother was painted out & in her place the dog was added.
Hope alls well with you sweet friend!
Have a happy Summer.. ~Mary~ :-}

Amy said...

To Karen....Wow! You are spot on- I didn't even key into the fact that they probably didn't have scissors back then. Did they????
Good thinkin' :)
Amy

The Urban Chic said...

I would have to believe that they did have scissors back then, but no one kept them. They were probably made by an iron smith, so no quite as sharp as ours. Now who would want to take the mother out of that beautiful picture?
I started posting vintage labels and graphics because I am hurting really bad, so it's the only thing I can do right now. Thanks for stopping by. Love and hugs, Pat

Cami @ Creating Myself said...

Hi Amy...thanks for the visit to my studio...although I"m late in getting back to you as I've been away @ an art retreat. And as always, thanks for your generosity w/ the your images...they are much appreciated!

BTW I had a canopy bed & suite as a young girl too. I felt like a princess!

Lois said...

Good Post Amy.
Odd that the mother was painted out isn't it? Hmmm....maybe she wasn't a nice lady and they liked the dog better....just a thought.
Lois