I have a hallway door that's been nondescript the whole time I've lived in the house. It leads to my utility closet and I pass it multiple times every day. I finally decided that it was time to bring it up a notch in appearance. The theme would be a portrait of Philippe Le Roy (1596-1679), a Flemish financier and diplomat.
Philippe Le Roy, the illegitimate grandson of a wealthy Antwerp merchant, became very successful through his own financial dealings, and that allowed him to acquire the rights to two villages and take the title, Lord of Ravels. As a diplomat, Philippe was instrumental in helping end the Thirty Years' War. I chose to paint him in large part because I think he has a marvelous face.
Here's the top panel of the door. I posed for the arm akimbo, and although I have relatively long fingers, they appeared a little stubby in the reference shot. So I lengthened them in PhotoShop. I also painted a Germanic sword that is of the proper time frame. It's called a "Katzbalger."
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Katzbalger swords
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I chose a quatrefoil design for the lower panel of the door, and I filled it with a Roman lion.
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The crown is actually proper for a Flemish earl of the 1600's.
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Heraldry | McGraw-Hill
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Thanks for watching!
Hello Mark, I like Le Roy's clear gaze and confident manner. Every detail of what you paint is so well researched, in addition to being remarkably executed--certainly one of the unifying factors of the motifs that appear in your paintings.
ReplyDeleteEven a utilitarian door gets the grand treatment from you. Walking through your house must be a surreal experience. It's so nice to see this new post from you--I had a feeling that you had not been idle!
--Jim
Hi Jim, I'm a little late in answering because your message didn't show up in my comments until today (!), but it's always good to chat with you. And thanks for the kind comment.
ReplyDeleteI am running out of wall space in my house! I recently bought a beautiful antique frame, which I'm looking forward to filling, but I actually have no place to hang it, unless I switch something else out. I guess I'll be like those trendy British rooms and have pictures leaning against the walls.
I enjoyed your collection of antique baby photos! I have a small collection of Victorian children wearing uniforms. Maybe I'll do a posting on them . . .
Hello Mark. I am delighted to see the new post, and your painting of Phillipe Le Roy. Quite a handsome man, beckoning me closer for conversation. He takes my breath away. I would be ready for a mini series of Leroy. Who would play his part? Would he be a living actor or from the past? I would choose Errol Flynn, always.
ReplyDeleteHello Mrs. D., always a pleasure to hear from you!
ReplyDeleteI have not been able to find much information on Phillipe Le Roy; it seems that history remembers him primarily because he had his portrait painted by Rubens. Nonetheless it sounds as though he was a dynamic fellow, worthy of being played by Errol Flynn. I like your casting direction!
Hello Mark,
ReplyDeleteThis is a bit out of context, but I have recently come across your post on John Wanamaker from several years ago. I am completing a project on Wanamaker's and I wanted to use the photo of the shoe box lid that you had put in your post stating "Satisfaction guaranteed or your money returned". The only issue is that I need somewhere to credit it to in my bibliography. I was wondering if you would be able to get back to me on where you found the photo (if you took it yourself or if it came from another site) and who to cite it to? If you did take it yourself, having a date for that would be great, but if it isn't convenient , then it's not necessary.
I also posted a comment on the Wanamaker post, but figured responding to a more recent one would probably catch your attention faster.
Thank you,
Jane
Hello Jane, I'm sorry if this is a tardy answer.
ReplyDeleteThe trade card you mentioned is from my own collection, so you might say, "Late 1800s trade card from the collection of Mark D. Ruffner." You can learn more about trade cards from the article on my sidebar. Good luck with your project!
Jane, I just want to be clear, the image you reference is not a shoe box cover — it's a trade card.
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