2017 313-365 The Crystal Ball (after Waterhouse)
A search for ideas relating to my crystal ball for my monthly image turned up a painting by John William Waterhouse. Sadly the model wasn't up to his famous "Waterhouse Girl" type. Finished in 1902 the girl is gazing into the ball, apparently weaving a spell with the aid of a book and skull. Eventually hung in the dining room at Glenborrodale Castle in the Highlands, the painting was sold with the castle in 1952-3. The new owner didn't like the skull, and had it painted over by the curtain. Arriving at Christies in London, the head of the Victorian picture department found photographs of the original, and an X-ray showed the skull. Pigment analysis demonstrated that the original surface was protected by a layer of varnish, and the skull was successfully rediscovered.
Treasure Hunt 11: Monthly topic November.
2017 313-365 The Crystal Ball (after Waterhouse)
A search for ideas relating to my crystal ball for my monthly image turned up a painting by John William Waterhouse. Sadly the model wasn't up to his famous "Waterhouse Girl" type. Finished in 1902 the girl is gazing into the ball, apparently weaving a spell with the aid of a book and skull. Eventually hung in the dining room at Glenborrodale Castle in the Highlands, the painting was sold with the castle in 1952-3. The new owner didn't like the skull, and had it painted over by the curtain. Arriving at Christies in London, the head of the Victorian picture department found photographs of the original, and an X-ray showed the skull. Pigment analysis demonstrated that the original surface was protected by a layer of varnish, and the skull was successfully rediscovered.
Treasure Hunt 11: Monthly topic November.