Mar
Painting a Heroine
Among the (many) challenges of writing historicals, is the lack of photographs. What did people really look like? Our best sources are portraits and, let’s face it, they can look strange and unattractive to modern eyes.
The painter’s art can also come into a story, evoking emotions or providing a plot point: a miniature of an absent loved one or a portrait of a parent, perhaps. Remember when Elizabeth visits Pemberley in Pride and Prejudice?
Darcy’s portrait is a definite “moment,” a turning point in her view of him.
Elizabeth walked in quest of the only face whose features would be known to her. At last it arrested her–and she beheld a striking resemblance to Mr. Darcy, with such a smile over the face as she remembered to have sometimes seen when he looked at her. She stood several minutes before the picture, in earnest contemplation, and returned to it again before they quitted the gallery.
I’ve been thinking about another book. Not, mind you, the book I’m actually writing. Heaven forbid! I’m chasing plot bunnies for a book to be named (and hopefully written) later. I have this idea about a man falling in love with the portrait of an unknown lady and I’ve been looking for inspiration. Here are some of the candidates I’ve found.
Fragonard
Boucher
Reynolds
Romney – this is the famous portrait of Emma Hart who became notorious as Nelson’s lover Lady Hamilton
Which lady do you like? Can you imagine one of them inspiring a grand passion?
Mar 2, 2013
1:22 am
I like the Fragonard. It just speaks to me. She looks peaceful and serene.
Mar 2, 2013
2:59 pm
I like her too, though she may be a little young. It’s hard to tell her age.
Mar 2, 2013
1:45 am
Miranda -
I agree with Liz and in fact I had already picked it out before I read her post!
The Fragonard portrait makes me want to find out more about the young lady and not because she’s reading a book but instead because she is obviously engrossed in what she is reading.
It made me stop for a moment and wonder what she’s reading, poetry, etiquette, a racy novel? What’s making her concentrate so much on it? It also makes me wonder what a man looking at the picture would think of her and would he go search for her himself or try to find out more about her first?
Mar 2, 2013
3:00 pm
Good point, Jeanne. The identity of the book begs more questions.
Mar 2, 2013
9:41 am
I like the Reynolds painting, the far off look and windswept hair combo.
Mar 2, 2013
3:01 pm
The Reynolds is a sexy lady, IMO, always a good thing in a heroine!
Mar 2, 2013
9:44 am
I’ve narrowed it down between the Reynolds and the Romney. The Romney pulls me in, perhaps it’s the colors or perhaps it’s because she looks young and fresh. Had you not mentioned she was Nelsons’ mistress I would have said innocent, but will change that thought to carefree. The Boucher seems a bit old, a matron in her late 30′s. The Fragonard only gives a profile and she looks very deep into her book and almost giving her a harsh look about her. I am not fond of paintings from the 1800′s as the images always appear stern and dark in contrast, and in return always gives my imagination and my minds eye an almost colorless existance, which I know could not be true. Thank goodness for the Romance Authors to give me color in the Regency Era.
Mar 2, 2013
3:13 pm
Interesting that you think the Boucher is an older woman, Jill. I think she’s young. But it speaks to what I said about the modern eye. Those mid-eighteenth century French ladies can seem less than youthful, especially when their hair is powdered. I feel the same about 1950s fashions. When I see a movie from the era, the girls in tight hair and poufy skirts always seem matronly to me.
Mar 2, 2013
10:15 am
I love the Reynolds, she looks quite cold and unapproachable. I imagine she is hiding some dark secret. Perfect for a romance.
The Romney is beautiful too but having watched That Hamilton Woman so many times Emma Hart just looks like Vivien Leigh in my mind!
Mar 2, 2013
3:14 pm
I love that movie, LL. Vivian Leigh was so gorgeous.
Mar 2, 2013
10:34 am
I think out of all of them, the one of Emma Hamilton would be the one that men would fall in love with on sight.
The Fragonard one is one I have always loved. I think it is the subject matter – a girl reading a book. I have it saved amongst the pictures in my computer and have even made an avatar/icon of it.
I think the Fragonard picture would inspire many things. I can see the two – H/H being childhood buddies and this being her portrait when they hung out together. Time and life have seperated them. Both of them have grown up and apart. What happened to the girl in the picture? Therein lies the mystery. Oh, think of the possibilities from that.
Mar 2, 2013
3:36 pm
I see you have really thought about the Fragonard. An image can gain both power and mystery from long study, which is what I am looking for.
Mar 2, 2013
1:37 pm
Hi Miranda, interesting post – afterall, they say a picture’s worth a thousand words. *wink*
I love all the pictures but looking at them from the point of view of hero, I think that either the Romney or the Reynolds would be the ones that would capture a man’s heart, especially the Romney (it pulls you into her eyes). As much as I love the serenity of the Fragonard, the hero wouldn’t truly be able to see her face and there is something about the Boucher that strikes me as too mature – a lack of innocence, you might say – although that might be what a hero is looking for. : )
Mar 2, 2013
3:38 pm
The Romney is a fantastic picture, isn’t it Amy? Even if one knew nothing of the subject one could be inspired. I think you are dead on about the Boucher. He painted for the highly sophisticated French court where innocence was not at a premium.
Mar 2, 2013
2:14 pm
The Romney picture looks perfect for a romantic man to look at and fall in love. Emma could inspire a hero.
Mar 2, 2013
4:09 pm
It’s a stunning portrait, that’s for sure.
Mar 2, 2013
3:23 pm
I think either the Fragonard or the Boucher. I like both of them for different reasons. The lady in the Fragonard seems to be content with herself. The lady in the Boucher, might lead him a pretty dance.
Mar 2, 2013
4:09 pm
So interesting that each of the four candidates has some supporters. I kind of like the Boucher’s naughtiness, Ella.
Mar 2, 2013
3:35 pm
I like the Romney and Emma Hart did inspire a grand passion in Nelson!
Mar 2, 2013
4:10 pm
Emma was much older when Nelson fell in love with her. By all accounts she had lost her figure and much of her beauty. I think that makes their love all the more special. She was a fascinating woman.
Mar 2, 2013
4:49 pm
Oh, I like the Fragonard too — she’s so engrossed in her book, that has to pique some hero’s interest.
Mar 2, 2013
11:05 pm
Hi,
I really enjoyed this post and looking at the artwork. I can see the Reynolds woman being a strong character who always has a point of view. The Fragonard lady reminds me of a little sister that would pester you until she has her own novel. On a side note, I asked my husband and he thought the Romney woman was the most striking.
Mar 3, 2013
12:55 am
Fun post Miranda! I think I’d definitely have to go with the Reynolds. I love the windswept look, as others have mentioned, and Reyonds perfectly captures the “don’t mess with me vibe.” She looks like a strong, confident, sexy heroine to me!
But of course, my inner bookworm loves the Fragonard too!
Mar 3, 2013
9:01 pm
I like the Boucher. Change her hair color and she won’t look so old. Her eyes are compelling. They could speak to you if you knew what she was thinking. A man could look at that painting and wonder, do her eyes see my soul?