Painting With A Story

The Pride of Dijon

Hennessy, William... Irish, 1839-1917

I acquired a reproduction print of this painting at a thrift store, and was able to look more closely at the details. It looks like a relaxing scene, but there is a lot going on.

If  you will click on the picture and let it take you to the source at Allposters, then you can use the magnifier and look at every corner. The first thing you might see is that the rug on the floor has a fringe that is turned over on the lower right side, as if the hem of the lady's dress had swooped it over as she walked over it before she sat down.

The wind, as well, might be blowing, causing all the roses to fall on the floor of the patio  where the lady and gentleman are sitting. A little table to the right holds two cups, one with a spoon, and both seem to be placed on some kind of cloth. The man is dressed formally and the lady, holding a fan, is wrapped in a fine shawl. Her dress seems to reflect the pale pink roses that are growing along the trellis and fence. The couple may have been to a formal event and now are visiting outside as the day grows darker.

I really like the black, wrought-iron fence around the patio, and the landscaping beyond, with the little road or path in a curve. I cannot imagine what they would be talking about but it seems to be serious.

When I hung the picture, I added a little shelf next to it, on which I placed a fan of a similar style, and a tea cup with a pale pink rose,  and then draped an old scarf on the frame, all to reflect the theme of the picture.

William Hennessy was born in County Kilkenny but immigrated to Canada when his parents left Ireland. He was an honorary member of the American Society of Watercolor Painters.

A fan, cup, spoon and floral ornament echoes details of the painting.

Looking at Life in Paintings of the Past

Motherhood, by E. L. Henry, American  1841-1919

Memories by E.L. Henry

First Railroad Train by E.L. Henry

Woman With a Baby by E.L. Henry

Spinning Jenny 1874 by E.L. Henry

A Lover of Old China

Unexpected Visitor

E.L. Henry was an American illustrator and artist whose paintings told stories of the American life in the 19th century.

 I especially like "Unexpected Visitor" above because of the country surroundings, the design of the house, the grandmother on the front porch with her knitting, and the lady of the house with her apron, looking out to see who is driving up in the carriage. I always like to point out the distictive differences in the male and female clothing of the times, too, and the sweet scenes of home and family. A look at the painting "A Lover of Old China" made me wonder what "old china" would have been like to the people of that era, for what was new to them, is now antique to us.

Some of the paintings can be clicked on for a larger view, in which can be seen the details of the architecture, the interior design of window hangings, fireplace mantel arrangements, furnishings, rugs, tableware and much more. The styles of furniture, dishes and fabrics are still being produced today.

E.L. Henry was related by marriage to the author Grace Livingston Hill.

Read more about E.L. Henry

E.L. Henry Biography