Something to mark Winter Solstice…
Those that know me – know I have a bit of a mania for collecting old prints, drawings and paintings – especially religious and allegorical ones. For what my acquisitions lack in condition and monetary worth they invariably make up for in other ways; ways that money CAN’T buy.
‘Demeter’ – detail from ‘The Return of Persephone’ by Frederic Leighton.
One such ‘painting’ came to me from ‘out of the blue’ a week ago – Thursday, 13th December 2018.
Gift of Light.
The ‘painting’ was given to me by a man who occasionally comes into ‘our’ recycle shop. We talk a bit and that’s how he’s got to know about my mania!
“When you’ve got a spare minute – come out to my car – as I’ve got something on the backseat you might like to have for your collection. It’s a gift if you want it?” He said.
A man of few possessions – he lives in a caravan in an apple orchard. From what I know of him, I think he’s a bit of a modern-day hermit on the quiet.
I was told that this particular ‘Persephone’ hadn’t seen the light of day for thirty years at least – as the ‘painting’ was sealed in the back of another picture – as a backboard. He’d got rid of the frame and ‘other contents’ a while back – but had kept hold of the ‘backboard’ as he liked the picture stuck to the reverse – simple as that!
The ‘painting’ is not in the best condition – including a nasty gouge to poor Persephone’s eye – as if she hasn’t suffered enough! However, its flaws pale into insignificance because I look beyond them; I’m thrilled and touched that he should want to give his ‘painting’ to me – especially as he has so few possessions to give away. He’s more or less down to nothing he tells me; the goal he’s aiming for.
No sooner had I taken ‘hold’ of the frame-less masterpiece – a strong gust of wind snatched the ‘painting’ away! I covered my eyes – as I hardly dared look at what catastrophic damage had befallen ‘Persephone’s Return’. Through open fingers, I recoiled in horror as the fragile ‘painting’ slammed to a halt at the side of my own parked car; in hindsight, I think it must have known it was coming home. Thank the Gods, the ‘painting’ was okay apart from two broken corners to the glue-stained border – which is no loss.
Still in one piece – phew!
The ‘painting’ is in fact a beautiful old Victorian PRINT – ‘The Return of Persephone’ by Frederic Leighton.
It captures THE MOMENT when ‘Hermes’ – messenger of the Gods – delivers Persephone back from the Underworld to the wide-open arms of her mother, Demeter. ‘The Return of Persephone’ heralds the return of Spring and ALL that Spring symbolises…
As I go about framing the ‘painting’ – I’m thinking what a wondrous, magical, beautiful——symbolic gift it is to be given just afore Winter Solstice…
I notice the hint of apple blossom that’s just visible outside the cave mouth…
To my eyes, Frederic Leighton was an alchemist – as well as a painter; someone who could turn particles of pigment into particles of Light at a brushstroke. Click HERE for some of Frederic Leighton’s ‘Light Therapy’ – to marvel at the brilliance of the original, courtesy of the ‘Leed’s Art Gallery’ in Yorkshire.
This weekend – I intend to set about preserving ‘The Return of Persephone’ behind glass for thirty odd years at least – only now the ‘painting’ will be facing out. I’ve found a frame that ‘fits’ – I’ve just got to make a mount…um it will be made from soft blue velvet methinks…
Click HERE to read the ‘other’ story behind the painting; how Persephone became ‘Queen of the Underworld’…
Saturday, 22nd December 2018.
That two extra minutes of daylight made all the difference – job done!