Tuesday, October 12, 2010

The Story In the Paintings


click on for a larger view
Courtship, by Edmund Blair Leighton, English, 1853-1922

 This particular painting had some things going on inside it that I had not previously noticed, and I wanted to find out if anyone else sees it. What do you think is really happening in the background, and what do you think the young man in the main part of the painting, does for a living?  My guess is that the man in the background is waiting for the boat and he is not happy that the boatman is taking his time talking to the young lady. Many of the paintings of the past had an "inside story" that a studied view can reveal.

4 comments:

Anonymous said...

I think you are right about the man off in the background calling out as he needs to get across the water. The first time I looked at this painting I wondered if the young lady was dreaming or thinking of the young man. Maybe she looked a bit disinterested too? I wondered if the man might even be her father making sure she was ok. You have introduced us to so much beautiful and inspiring art work. Now I have begun to notice more when I am out and about. The paintings in our home have changed because of this too as now I think hard about what I put in our home and the feeling it brings or the lessons it shows. You and the many beauitful women bloggers are helping change one home at a time. Thankyou so very much. Sarah

Anonymous said...

I think the man on the other side is yelling to the young man to get that boat over here! As you said also in a manner of speaking......lm

Anonymous said...

I think the man on the other side is yelling to the young man to get that boat over here! As you said also in a manner of speaking......lm

Anonymous said...

the man that is wildly gesturing appears to be waiting for the boat. His bag on the dock indicates he's travelling. The boatman is interested in the girl but she seems bored.