The Portrait on the Staircase

By luigi_pagano

Fri, 23 Aug 2019
  • 1609 reads
8 comments
 
I assumed it was one of my ancestors,
the man in the portrait on the staircase,
but when I noticed that he was a monk
I reasoned out that it was not the case.
 
His gaze follows me across the room.
The face shows an austere expression
as if he intends to reprimand someone.
Is he annoyed or is it my impression?
 
It is strange and I cannot make it out.
I am in a state of flux and confusion:
he looks as if he is alive and moving
but maybe it is a dream or an illusion.
 
I'm told the picture is a trompe-l'oeil,
an image painted to deceive one's eye.
If on the other hand he is a phantom
he's bound to start a real hue and cry.
 
To keep my sanity I'll have to consider
whether I and that iconic work of art
can be together in an uneasy alliance
or if it is better to eventually part.

 

© Luigi Pagano 2019
Certificate U
Poem
Mutevoli pensieri
Surreal

Comments

Submitted by Insertponceyfre... on

That is a rather creepy expression on his face Luigi, you're right. It's a wonderful portrait though - who is the artist?

 

Submitted by luigi_pagano on

Portrait of a Carthusian by Petrus Christus (1446), Claudine.

(In the public domain).

Luigi x

 

Submitted by onemorething on

He definitely looks disapproving, but on the other hand, I approve of your poem. I like the idea of you figuring out if you can live together. :)

 

Submitted by luigi_pagano on

Pleased that you approve, o.m.t., thank you. I didn't think it had the 'ghost' of a chance of appealing to anyone.

Best Luigi

 

Submitted by Di_Hard on

gosh, I would sell it! Very creepy! Could imagine him coming into dreams. It is a really good picture though.Like Holbein but horrid. Once again an erudite thought provoking poem Luigi!

 

Submitted by luigi_pagano on

Hello Di, the picture was made to look sinister on purpose as it was painted by a technique that the French call trompe l'oeil which is a visual illusion in art, used to trick the eye into perceiving a painted detail as a three-dimensional object. It is, as you rightly say, a really good picture.

Kind regards, Luigi x

 

Submitted by onemorething on

I think I was thinking of this one or perhaps your Botticelli one. This one is very good too.  :)

 

Submitted by luigi_pagano on

Thanks Rachel, much appreciated.

Luigi x