Tale of the Terrible Portraits[1]
One of the family’s many dark secrets was that Aunt Elma was insane. Not in the truly violent or psychotic sense but occasionally she would be overcome by a passionate need to paint. During those times she could not be restrained. She would do or say anything to get back to her studio. Once there she would slash and jab at the canvas with such exuberance that she had as fine a coating or paint as her work. Once the fit had passed she would be as calm and self-possessed as any other southern belle.
During his life Richard, Elma’s husband, was able to hold her in check and otherwise conceal her peculiarity. But when he died in the summer of 1842, things began to worsen for Aunt Elma.
By 1858, when Master Gracey inherited the Mansion, Elma was a local wonder and subject of gossip. No one knew the reasons but her sudden departures from social events and the steady stream of deliveries to her apartments raised may questions. George acted quickly to move his aunt to her own set of rooms at the Manor. Thereafter he supplied her handsomely with all her needs.
It wasn’t long before the family could discern the works created while Aunt Elma was “distracted” as they called it. Scenes of horror or great tragedy were most common. However, small portraits of monsters and demons were found aplenty.
Madam Leota thought these unusual pieces were charming and hung them in those rooms she frequented most often.
Elma painted until the day she died. Two weeks later a most foreboding portrait was discovered in one of her closets: Asa, Eddy and Daniel, three of the servants, were pictured atop one another, trying to escape some quicksand. It was hidden from all until that November when they indeed met such a fate. The men being well beloved, the piece was hung to their honor in the foyer.
No comments:
Post a Comment