A Long Shot (I.P.)

By luigi_pagano

Sun, 13 Jul 2014
  • 1947 reads
8 comments
 

The auction was sold out except for one lot:
a dilapidated oil painting with a gold frame
that needed repairing otherwise it would rot;
it had been neglected but at last a bid came.

It hadn’t been sought, was bought for nought
by an adventurous but imprudent art student
who’d given the matter a  great deal of thought.
Asked if he was going to sell it, said he wouldn’t.

He would clean it, restore it to its former glory
then, asking the opinion of renowned art critics,
he’d disclose to the world a remarkable story
that defied the unbelievers and scornful cynics.

He knew that the picture he got was Venetian
and he felt that -  though it may be a long shot -
it could be by Giorgione, Tintoretto or Titian.
But the artist’s signature was hard to spot.

A nude woman seemed to be its main feature,
representing, without doubt, some goddess.
The model would’ve been an earthly creature
who of deities could not have cared less.

© Luigi Pagano 2014

Certificate U
Poem
Mutevoli pensieri
Other Fiction
Miscellaneous
Inspiration Point (work that responds to our weekly writing cue)

Comments

Submitted by Geoff Smith on

Hi. Just thought I'd say that I really like the link established between the forgotten painting and the model. You make a clever point about art, being about the distilling of the incredible from the mundane. I think this is a really successful piece.

Thanks.

JM

Thanks for reading. I am grateful for your time.

Submitted by luigi_pagano on

And you are a gentleman, Sir! Your gracious and analytical feedback has been a morale boost. You made a very valid point with reference to the painting and the model. The difference between the sacred (the portrayal of religious characters) and the profane (the employment of common girls to pose as such  deific figures) has always intrigued me. Thanks for reading, JM.

Best, Luigi

 

Submitted by Denzella on

Hello Luigi,

I like the way you have synergised the two creative forces art and poetry.  I also think the rhyming scheme you have chosen reflects that synergy.  Just curious is the painting Boucher's Odalisque?

Enjoyed reading this.

Moya 

 

Submitted by luigi_pagano on

Hello Moya, so glad of your approval of my approach to art and poetry. I think those two branches of creativity go hand in hand but whilst I can make some attempts at the latter, painting is a skill that eludes me. In answer to your query, the painting is 'The Venus of Urbino' by Titian. Boucher is more erotic and titillating. Naughty  but nice one could say.

Luigi xx

 

Submitted by Rhiannonw on

Good use of the IP. I was amused by the 'wouldnt' rhyming with 'student' - its effect seemed to be emphasis on the 'wouldnt' marking his obstinancy, a bit like a toddler saying 'I wont!' despite being the loser! Now if it does turn out to a famous masterpiece …
Rhiannon

 

Submitted by luigi_pagano on

Hi Rhiannon. As I had already used the adjective 'imprudent' I was a bit at a loss as how to find another one to rhyme with 'student'. After a bit of lateral thinking I came up with the one you have remarked upon. I might have subconsciously been influenced by the  television programme 'Antiques Roadshow'. In it some people, after being told it may be a masterpiece, say "Oh, I wouldn't sell it!" Really?, I ask myself.

Thanks for reading. Luigi

 

Submitted by skinner_jennifer on

Loved your take on this I.P. Luigi,

How I admire those artists who can capture skin tone so well.  I have tried myself,  but never succeeded. 

Great poem on a great subject.

Jenny.  xx

 

Submitted by luigi_pagano on

The nearest I got to Art was to draw humorous cartoons, Jenny. I so envy those Masters but glad that they left us a legacy of pictorial masterpieces.

Luigi xx