It has a distinctly gothic tone. It is shown at night, with deep shadows. It features a group of servants, dressed in victorian or earlier period costume, stood on a landing or at the edge of an entrance hall. They are grouped together holding up an oil lamp and are looking terrified. Their eyes are fixed directly forward upon the viewer. I think it is a well known painting as I saw it originally on an arts posctard. Thanks!
2006-12-29 03:30:13 · 6 answers · asked by Anonymous in Arts & Humanities ➔ Visual Arts ➔ Painting
For ref: If I still had the postcard then I'd know what it was! :)
2006-12-29 04:09:01 · update #1
The figures are painted in a naturalistic style, and it is coloured with deep green and brown hues. It definitely has a sense a sense of Carvaggio, but is on a much smaller scale - less epic, more haunted house!
2006-12-29 04:19:19 · update #2
Cheers for your answers. We picked the postdard from the Hockney gallery in Saltaire, Bradford. But obviosly we know its not a Hockney! Hope this helps in some way.
2006-12-30 09:59:41 · update #3
Thanks for your answers so far. It does definitely have a German romanticism feel about it. Please keep your answers coming, im sure we'll get there!
2007-01-04 06:51:51 · update #4
Well, I rather doubt it could be this (see link below), but I thought it might be worth a try.
2006-12-29 03:35:02 · answer #1 · answered by johnslat 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It would be much easier to give you a title and the name of an artist if you posted a picture (a link to the picture). That way I would know exactly which picture you want an answer for. As for the fact that it was on a postcard doesn't make it a well known painting. They use stock work (paintings, photography etc) for post cards generally.
2006-12-29 03:47:43 · answer #2 · answered by sweetsboi 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Hello there,
Not very savy on some art, but deep in this old grandpa's memory, I see a pic similar to your description. I know about incidents described in biblical parables. Since we can't have a conversation and I can't take you through the 40 question thing, My insight is turning me in a certain direction, so I'm going to point out some things for you to look for.
If there are "six" female figures obviously one of them holding a lighted lamp, are the other five holding unlighted lamps. If this is the case, you probably saw an illustration dipicting the parable of the twelve virgins who according to the story as Jesus told it, They were to wait for the bride groom to arrive on the scene and then escort him into the wedding. Six of them fell asleep waiting and failed to stock up on enough oil to keep their lamps burning until the bride groom arrrived. The consequence of this blunder was that these six foolish virgins were shut out of the wedding party. The gothic darkness of the picture possibly depicts the phraise "Outer Darkness" where they were condemmed to remain for their carelessness.
In looking for answers, possibly origin, artist, other such info go to your ISP home page and enter "seven foolish virgins; painting" in the search engine (Not the address bar) box. Click search and see what you come up with. Lots of luck and best to you
I am shockeedoc
2007-01-01 14:05:30 · answer #3 · answered by shockeedoc 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
can you remember where the postcard came from? Can look up the local galleries from that year/approx year. Even if the artwork has moved to another gallery could still track the painting.
2006-12-30 06:10:19 · answer #4 · answered by coaster14 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's difficult without a picture, but it sounds like you're describing something of the Romanticism.
2007-01-03 02:15:32 · answer #5 · answered by Nina 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The one you describe doesn't ring a bell but Caravaggio is known for his "chiaroascuro" lighting, which shows very pale faces and deep shadows.
2006-12-29 04:08:59 · answer #6 · answered by kerridwen09 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋