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The original of this painting is in fact a Persian miniature taken from the folio of The Shahnama of Shah Tahmasp. It now forms part of the treasures of the Aga Khan Museum. Titled Salm and Tur receiving the reply of Faridun and Manuchihr, the story goes as follows:
Salm and Tur were the jealous sons of Faridun who cruelly decapitated their brother, Iraj, also Faridun's favured child. Angered, Faridun spent the coming years training Manuchihr, his grandson and heir of Iraj, to avenge Iraj. When Salm and Tur found out how strong and powerful Manuchihr had become, they sent a messenger to Faridun begging him to spare them. Of course, Faridun flatly refused and instead, swore the most gruesome deaths upon Salm and Tur. This work depicts the return of the messenger who bears this terrible response to his masters, who are visibly horrified: “The envoy having further told the message/Of Faridun, those tyrants’ heart grew sore,/ Their faces blue as lapis lazuli.”
I love how the domination of the lapis blue is used to reflect the fear of Faridun's treacherous sons. In fact I love that blue so much, a mixing bench was created around it and that miniature in real life has become the wall of my miniature house. This painting was also the inspiration for the colours on my palettes.
Then there is the old man's portrait. So much has been written around it that I don't think another word is necessary to explain the significant role it plays in the building of the abandoned house. It was even the raison d'etre for an easy easel; which turned out to be one of my favourite creations in this house.
Why?
Because it has elicited precious participation from my friends here in blogland; thanks to a glaring omission.
My dear friends, all the conversations that went on in my head when I added the splatters to the easel felt almost like you all came over for tea tonight. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for this wonderful collaboration.
I think this easel is finally looking like it belonged.
29 comments:
Hello Sans, bellissimo l'arazzo e interessante la sua storia. Il ritratto mi piace sempre di più!
Un abbraccio, Manu
Again you're painting my world dear Sam.:) I can see how much pleasure and magic this little house is bringing to your life.:) Have even more fun with it!
Hugs and kisses
Just perfect :-) You've made me very happy with those splatters!!!
Yes it IS, dear Susan, now it is an easy easel, just how it look right now ;)!!
Big hug, Ilona
Now it's the perfect easy easel... as Joe Cocker sung "with a little help from my friends" *grin* You've managed to make a good thing even better - and more realistic. I know what I'm talking about, just while opening my bottle of white paint today I managed to have spots of white on my shoulder afterwards... So if I can't stay clean, why should your easel??? ;0)
Hugs
Birgit
Previously wonderful, now perfect! Love the addition of the paint smeared rag!!
Yes!!! It is Perfect.... dabbed with unintentional abandon... dripped and splattered... Just the right amount of evidence of Years of use... soiled rag at the ready.... Intentionally accidentally Perfect!!!
(Yes, I was here earlier today.... looking over your shoulder... listening to the music croon... thinking of all the art that has gone into all your creations.... sipping my tea.... and Dreaming...!:))
The easel definitely belongs! Why? I could not tell you! It just simply belongs there. It has found its rightful place! As I was gazing at the painting of the two brothers receiving the bad news, I looked at the blues in the painting, there is more than one, but together they form a union and I suddenly realized what it is that has so fascinated me about these dark hues of blue. It's not that they uplift me. No, that's not it. This dark blue bewitches me. Because there are certain blues that I cannot stand. For me, it's instant depression and I could never live with them. They would crush me. On the other hand, this splendid, magnificent blue bewitches me and that is not a bad thing in this instance since it's a good bewitching!
Colors can change a mood like no other!! Just beautiful... you have created a creative mood indeed!! hugs, ara
The splatters are absolutely perfect! xo Jennifer
Manu, il ritratto è stato un dono dal grande talento Ilona :).
Ewalina, this house has become more than the world of an old man. It is a very real sanctuary for me :). And a place to "meet" my virtual friends from blogland :).
All thanks to your suggestion, Margriet! 1st cup of tea and the biggest piece of pineapple tart for you :):).
Ilona, one day I hope to hear the real story behind that portrait :).
I am sure art runs in the blood and the love for plants, of course.
Thank you! :)
hahahahaha Birgit! You should me hear to hear me crack up!
Let me tell you your voice was one of the louder ones in my head! Ok,ok. Coffee, of the best Sumatran beans and the largest piece of our local pandan chiffon cake , YOURS :)
This is what a pandan cake looks like:
http://en.christinesrecipes.com/2011/06/pandan-chiffon-cake.html#.Ub1lXfnTwrU
Thank you Susan ! :):) I love rags and I think I have a few in every project so far :). haha
Bets, thank you for your wonderful words! You know, you have been over so often (in my head too, let me tell you :):):) ) but i don't even know if you like cakes :):)! So do you? And what kind? Tell me the next time you visit :).
You know I had been away from this house for almost a month. Maybe more. I am just so happy to be back, creating again and collaborating and chatting! Yes! Definitely the chatting :)
Lucille, I know exactly what you are saying. At one time in my life, a good 10 years at least, I was obsessed with blue. ALL shades of blue. It was totally crazy. I wear only blue, own only blue things and my hostel room was done up only in blue. Then after I started work, I slowly weaned myself off blue and then actually got a little turned off by it.
So when you say the colur can get a little depressing, I know! I was living in a room with navy blue carpet! :).
It's that blue in the painting though. Yes, there are a few shades but the lapiz blue is my bewitcher :). I can't help being drawn to it.
It has the same effect on me as the Mariacki Blue I wrote about last year :) http://sansdollhousediaries.blogspot.sg/2012/03/day-318-blue-of-koscio-mariacki.html
It is funny, but it is only blue that can affect me like this. And maybe the non-colours like black and white and for a very very short stint , fucshia. No, even then, it's not the same intensity, not by far. :)
Ara, I am sure you know what I am saying when the world we create in turn inspire us to create even more. Even better when friends share it :).
Thank you , Jennifer! :)
The painting and easel are so perfecty done. I always admire the way you combine colours in your miniature work, so very different from my own approach but therefore extra beautiful and exciting to look at.
Dear Sans! I am so glad you are back to this house... there is a kind of Emptiness that happens in Blogland when you are away.... (Because you are so full of exciting projects and Adventures and Connections and yes, Chattiness...!)It is Always a Joy to come here!
And as for Cake.... do I like it? Well, "how do I love thee... let me count the ways.... LOL! I am sure there are cakes I probably do not like.... but they are few and Far between! But to tell the Truth... what I love the Best is Pie.... specifically, Sweet Cherry Pie.... Juicy, sweet and tart at the same time.... warm from the oven... with a cup of tea.... *sigh*
Just Divine!
(So Sweet of you to ask!!!):):)
I like the colors on your palettes. And the splatters are perfect.
Greetings, Faby
Your easel is now perfect. I love the rag wonderful touch :) Beautiful painting I love the blue.
Hugs Maria
El realismo del caballete y la paleta es asombroso. Un saludo, Eva
Wow, your easel has now that special look, and the bleu is so vivid !
Hugs Mieke xxx
Your posts are food for the soul. Beautiful photos!
The easel is very realistic, it seems that has been used for years by the old painter.
=)
Susan ese caballete es el que le va a dar vida a ese cuadro enigmatico de el señor del sombrero.
Me encantan esas fotografias con esa luz.
besitos ascension
Sans,
I'm always amazed at the work you do. You are a true artist. I can never get enough of the beauty you create...Keep it up!!!
XXOO Marie Antoinette
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