Note the subtle "hangman" scratched on the wall of the prison cell. Extended discussion at the Art subreddit.
More about the artist here.
Reposted from 2016. One of the links is dead, but I don't have time to find a replacement.
Addendum: A tip of the blogging cap to a reader who found a site with images of his other paintings.
To me the question remains is it artist or master craftsman at work ?
ReplyDeleteI am happy to hang works by craftsmen. His brushwork is lovely and fits his subjects.
DeleteArtist or craftsman? I'm grateful God limited my intelligence such that I'll never know the difference.
DeleteThis site might work to see some of his works. He certainly was fond of depicting dogs and sleeping/dead folks, wasn't he? https://www.wikiart.org/en/briton-riviere
ReplyDeleteThank you, anon. I have added the link to the body of the post. You have now become one of the unpaid poofreaders of TYWKIWDBI.
DeleteOf what crime was the dog accused ?
ReplyDeleteGoogle old drum, wareensburg, mo:
ReplyDeleteDrum
“Gentlemen of the Jury, the best friend a man has in the world may turn against him and become his enemy. His son or daughter that he has reared with loving care may prove ungrateful. Those who are nearest and dearest to us, those whom we trust with our happiness and our good name, may become traitors to their faith. The money that a man has, he may lose. It flies away from him, perhaps when he needs it the most. A man’s reputation may be sacrificed in a moment of ill-considered action. The people who are prone to fall on their knees to do us honor when success is with us may be the first to throw the stone of malice when failure settles its cloud upon our heads. The one absolutely unselfish friend that man can have in this selfish world, the one that never deserts him and the one that never proves ungrateful or treacherous is his dog.
Gentleman of the Jury, a man’s dog stands by him in prosperity and in poverty, in health and in sickness. He will sleep on the cold ground, where the wintry winds blow and the snow drives fiercely, if only he may be near his master’s side. He will kiss the hand that has no food to offer, he will lick the wounds and the sores that come in encounters with the roughness of the world. He guards the sleep of his pauper master as if he were a prince. When all other friends desert he remains.
When riches take wings and reputation fall to pieces, he is as constant in his love as the sun in its journey through the heavens. If fortune drives the master forth an outcast in the world, friendless and homeless, the faithful dog asks no higher privilege than that of accompanying him to guard against danger, to fight against his enemies, and when the last scene of all comes, and death takes the master in its embrace and his body is laid away in the cold ground, no matter if all other friends pursue their way, there by his graveside will the noble dog be found, his head between his paws, his eyes sad but open in alert watchfulness, faithful and true even to death.”
https://www.warrensburg-mo.com/591/Old-Drum
DeleteWhat timing! I recently saw this painting referenced somewhere, but now cannot remember where. Was it a Jeopardy! clue? Argh, hate it when that happens...
ReplyDeleteIf it was Jeopardy!, someone here may confirm, because lots of TYWKWIDBI readers watch that program.
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