Portrait of Mary Shelley - Caught Between the Moon and Candlelight (1797 - 1851)
Mary Wollstonecraft Godwin Shelley, Writer, Poet, Shooting Star. Oil on canvas.
The author (at 18 years old) of FRANKENSTEIN. A woman of such profound personal courage, of stunning highs and lows, it boggles the imagination. Mary, I adore you.
A rebel who dodged convention, whose parents were famous free-thinker free love radicals, whose mother died giving birth to her, who was sent to Scotland at 15 for a good education, and who ran off to live with two of the most famous, revered, dangerous, and notorious wild-men poets (when poets ruled) Percy Bysshe Shelley and Lord Byron. It had to be like setting up housekeeping with Mick Jagger & Lou Reed.
Ostracized for romping through English tradition, she and Percy Shelley eloped to France, then moved into a castle on Lake Geneva with Lord Byron, proceded to practice Latin & Greek, write, live, and outdo each other. The very good looking bad boys were notorious for debts, affairs, abandoned children, sexually extravagant lives, and a trail of broken hearts. But they wrote gorgeously. Percy Shelley & Lord Byron remain two of the finest poets of the English language.
In what she called “a waking dream” teenaged Mary Shelley started to write Frankenstein, and published it finally under her own name, producing one more shock that an English woman could conjure stirring horror. She and Shelley traveled, changed countries like you’d change socks & became increasingly famous. Mary was pregnant many times, but six children miscarried, or heartbreakingly lived, to die as toddlers. One boy survived adulthood. She was in and out of depressions, trying to keep Shelley happy and produce her own original work. In rough Italian seas near LaSpezia, the accomplished sailor and non-swimmer Percy Shelley drowned. He was 29. Mary was 25, and felt her life ended.
The extremes of drama that populated all their days astonishes. Lord Byron and a friend made a pyre on the beach to burn Percy Shelley’s corpse when it washed ashore. One of the two cut out Shelley’s heart (not an uncommon impulse at the time) and after arguing over who should keep it, decided to send it in a box, unannounced, to Mary.
At a time when women had limited rights, freedoms or possibilities, she turned her back on what she was told she must do, with gusto. What is, after all, an ideal life. She risked far more than her peers ever dared. She did not have an easy time of it. But she chose not embrace the comforts or society that would have driven her mad. It’s more than fair to say this woman really lived. Mary Wollestonecraft Godwin Shelley was dead at 53.
ABOUT THE PAINTING: There are only 2 or 3 exisitng portraits of Mary Shelley, and one, painted by Richard Rothwell in 1840, was my reference. It is a peculiar painting of her, age 43. When tackling historical figures, one has to account for rigid art standards of the times. I tried to eliminate what might have been purely the painter’s imposition. Along with what I suspect was a purge of her wild history and monster story telling (making her nice, & vapid) he gave her features considered beautiful then: a long oval face, an extraordinarily high brow for heightened inteligence (same things the Greeks did with that full flesh at brow level) thin lips to prove a lack of avarice, matronly to suit her widowhood, and shoulders in such a drastic slope they deny a skeletal structure. (The Rothwell portrait is on Wikipedia under Mary Shelley’s name). All that seemed an exaggeration, his portrait does not look real to me. So I left in her high cheekbones, softened the oval and lowered the forehead a touch, gave her a fuller mouth, kept the deep eyes. I painted Mary Shelley as the 18 year old who wrote Frankenstein, with thoughts of ghoul and goblin fleeting across her eyes, sensing terrors to come, uncertainty in the present, having to rely primarily on herself, an active imagination, great mind and fabulous story teller.
I have her between the moon and candlelight because it seems to me that’s where she lived.
The Hawks Perch
Available for sale as Cards, Matted Prints, Laminated Prints, Mounted Prints, Canvas Prints and Framed Prints
Barssel, 5 months ago
Wonderful painting of a literary character with few peers. Her life of pure love and abandonment of convention should be an inspiration to us all…..........live a life don’t just occupy time and space. Your painting gives life to my knowledge of Shelley. It is bold as she was bold, it is strong as she was strong but there is a lost or loss in her eyes that I am sure she felt many times during her life…..................well done Barb, superb piece.
Barbara Sparhawk in reply to Barssel’s comment, 5 months ago
Thank you SO much, Adrian. Boy what sweaty palms introducing something new. I have several different shots of the painting and may replace this one, I don’t think I’ve done it justice yet and really like the finished canvas.
And yes, she lived through so much but never came undone! I’m so delighted that you know about her. And proud you like what I painted.
rosepepper, 5 months ago
Everything you say is in the painting. It is magnificent. All the features are strong and get straight to the mind of the woman and the strength she must have had. The lilt on the right eyebrow is the only place where doubt comes in.
Barbara Sparhawk in reply to rosepepper’s comment, 5 months ago
Much appreciated, Rosepepper, I thank you. I’m glad you see all I wanted to include, it’s your good painter’s eye. I know it wasn’t as if she didn’t feel things, her writing supports that. But she had something in her, or something she created in her, to sail into the wind, even the hurricane.
MinoYasue, 5 months ago
The color rendering is very soft with floating feel, similar to one of the impressionist style, but this has much stronger expressional impression. I guess the overall green-blue color dominant overall mode creation. You have great use of shadow and light, which adds depth in her character as well as the image. There is an excellent character illustration in this work; the viewers can feel a depth of her inner soul.
Sande Elkins, 5 months ago
Barbara, there is a painting at the Chicago Art Institute, a self portrait of Van Gogh, that always moves me to tears. You would think it would be embarrassing to lose ones self so completely in a work of art in such a very public place but when I finally tear myself away from the glorious painting, I always find myself surrounded by others who are peering into the painting trying to find the same emotion that I have. Great art does that, it moves your heart and broadens your mind and soul. Barbara, I know you probably don’t care about such things because, like Shelley, you are a woman who has cast all modern conventions and expectations aside to live that life extraordinary. But I truly feel that I’m looking at greatness every time one of your works appears on my tiny computer screen and I think how amazing it would have to be to see this in person and to drink in all of the power and beauty that it holds. You and your work are both exceptional and you should be exhibited in galleries and museums all over the world. This is such a wonderful painting and your beautiful words, as always, are also moving and enlightening. What you bring out in these artists you paint is truly the essence of their very being and the inner rebel and strength that made them embrace life in the way they did and bring so much to all of our lives in the process. You’re simply incredible and you know I’m a huge fan.
whisperingruth, 5 months ago
Well Barbara, I’m not very educated regarding art or artists however after viewing this incredible piece and reading your magnificentl words, I’m speechless. Judging from the previous comments, you have really hit a nerve with your Bubble fans on this beautiful art work. It certainly has moved me. Truly top class work Barbara . . . you have done Mary proud!
Barbara Sparhawk in reply to whisperingruth’s comment, 5 months ago
Re Proud Mary, thanks Ruth. This place is all education to me. I think I started getting Mary Shelley right when I heard her sigh and say, that’s right, set me free, (very low voice). Such a bad lot of previous paintings of her. I never thought I’d have to learn photography in order to be a painter, but it’s such a challenge to photograph my work. And this dream come true of being able to preview paintings to a international audience, friends! still knocks my socks off. Thanks for all you said, dear friend.
Barbara Sparhawk in reply to MinoYasue’s comment, 5 months ago
Thank you, MinoYasue, for all you’ve thoughtfully written. She was not demonic, I believe, but frightened of death & had way too much closeness to it. I wanted to paint that. She got free of it by not letting it be all she was, and writing Frankenstein out in full, a monster only briefly out of control. She sure had a wild ride of life, and bad as it was, incredibly good.
Barbara Sparhawk, 5 months ago
On behalf of every painter who ever lived, I thank you for losing yourself in front of a painting, Sande. Van Gogh does that to me too. You have said so many beautiful things here. I started painting portraits of people whose lives I admire (so many more to go) and wanted to modernize these distant strangers who have been relegated to diminished importance at a time when we need to hear their clarion call, at a time when 18 year olds are being celebrated for the amount of drugs they take and whether or not they’ve got underwear on. There’s real fire in every belly, Sande, waiting to be tapped. You make me think I might have helped show that, and I’m very moved by what you said.
Simon Gladwin, 5 months ago
A truly wonderful portrait Barbara. Oh to have your talent…..I can see an image by the roadside, or out walking…..and know instinctively how I want it to end up once photographed and processed, but to comit those thoughts to canvas using my bare hands is beyond me. I marvel at your talent and work! I agree with Sande, you shuold be exhibited in galleries the world over!
Barbara Sparhawk, 5 months ago
Ah Simon, thank you. I am apparently too much of not fitting in any niche for museums to get interested in these days. If I covered myself in chocolate sauce and played drums, I might stand a chance.
I really love seeing your inventive photographs, and the way your mind works, your extraordinary story telling.
photos40, 5 months ago
Stunning piece of work indeed. I’m not an art critic by any stretch of the imagination but by GOD I know a beautiful & moving piece when I see one & I surely see one now. The story you told just makes her image even that much more powerful & sad at the same time. She has a look in her eyes that say she has lived too many lifetimes to have experienced all that she did in just one. Reminds me of another Great Lady’s profile that I read on RB lately. Thank you for such a Magnificent painting & the equally compelling story to go with it. Now I know after seeing this just why everyone here loves RB.
Barbara Sparhawk in reply to photos40’s comment, 5 months ago
You are very kind in all you say, photos40. Makes my heart soar! I’m so very glad you like looking at Mary Shelley’s portrait here. And yes, this fabulous place is without compare. Again, welcome, welcome. But please be a critic too, because it all helps.
Cathleen Taraw..., 5 months ago
Wonderful interpretation Barbara. Again. I like that you painted her how you saw her rather than following the original painters interpretation. And your description… another history/art lesson for me today; I can’t wait for your next one. Thanks for taking the time to inform the rest of us of these great talents.
Barbara Sparhawk in reply to Cathleen Tarawhiti’s comment, 5 months ago
Thanks, yes…you start these things with some strict attention to pictures you use to paint from, then let go. That’s when the moon came out and the skin toned changed. And trust me, not only are you welcome, Cathleen, but I’m endlessly grateful about my photography education here. I never dreamed there was as much to it as there clearly is.
susi lawson, 5 months ago
very well done!!
Helene Kippert, 5 months ago
I’m loving everything about this series of portraits Barbara. Love your choice of women and the way you bring them to life with your brush and make visible their pain and joy. Mary and her mother have been heroines of mine since I was a teenager, and she breathes in this wonderful painting.
Barbara Sparhawk in reply to Helene Kippert’s comment, 5 months ago
Ah, Helene, thank you. I’m not much in the way of feminist, but in despair over the meandering stupidity of young women who want to turn themselves into empty cartoons for reasons known only to God. And we seem to move further and further away from any sense of accomplishment with a life that comes from robust contact and adventuring, for man or woman. The great lives lived before my time have always given me a boost. Imagine all the choices, all the things that might be done. I’m so glad Mary Shelley was already your friend.
Barbara Sparhawk in reply to susi lawson’s comment, 5 months ago
Thanks so much, Susi.
Mark Gardner, 5 months ago
Barbara this work is wonderful, i can see the wildness but also the vulneralbility in her eyes, oh what a life to live, to cast aside convenvention and live as a free spirit but with that freedom often comes pain as she experienced on many occassions, as i have told you words are not my strong point but everything i see gives me pleasure and i thank you for sharing this work with us
Barbara Sparhawk in reply to Mark Gardner’s comment, 5 months ago
You said all this beautifully, Mark, you may have strong points you don’t credit! Thank you so much, I think she really did a miracle of a job with her life. And the game was on, but the focus was in producing exquisite writing, not flashing the paparazzi. The thing is, lest we forget, that conventional living ALSO produces pain but is dismissed as part of life. There’s no special punishment set aside for free spiriting except the rebels get the scold. Thanks so much for liking the portrait of her. And what a beautiful thing to say, that everything you see gives you pleasure. Now there’s a fine high.
Imber, 5 months ago
This is just wonderful!
Barbara Sparhawk in reply to Imber’s comment, 5 months ago
Thank you, Imber. I’ve just had a brief look at your fascinating artwork, glad to have found you and your unique imagination.
Antanas, 5 months ago
Great….!!!
Barbara Sparhawk in reply to Antanas’s comment, 5 months ago
Thanks so much, Antanas. And congratulations once more on the new life in your life, what great adventures lie ahead for you all!
alistair mcbride, 5 months ago
Stunning portrait Barbara,powerful but with a hint of sadness in her eyes. Well done!
Barbara Sparhawk in reply to alistair mcbride’s comment, 5 months ago
Thanks, Alistair, so much. Yes, I think she must have lived inside a tempest most of her life.
JanG, 5 months ago
Beautiful idea and painting. I love thinking about who might have been behind the public portraits of the time. You have turned her into a real, believable person. You paint your portraits with words as well as on canvas and bring us so close to the ones portrayed.
Barbara Sparhawk in reply to JanG’s comment, 5 months ago
Thank you so very much, Jan, you do my heart good. Up until the camera, painters were burdened by historical responsibilities, and if they wanted to earn a living at it, had to flatter. Sargent who came later, was miraculously adept at glamorizing society dames, he made a fortune immortalizing them. I love his flair and skill, but cannot bear the frozen perfect women and their children who are so thoroughly devoid of life. I determined never to do that, I don’t want lifelessness.
Louise Cooke, 4 months ago
Once again, this has the trade-mark Barbara intensity. You don’t do any art in half-measures and it’s other fine example of your powerful, dramatic artwork. I’ve stared at this for ages, captivated by the light and colour alone, not to mention her eyes! Brilliant work Barbara, and another fascinating art lesson :)
Barbara Sparhawk in reply to Louise Cooke’s comment, 4 months ago
Louise, you do ME a powerful lot of good. Thank you – SO much – for all you’ve said. I’m very glad you’re enjoying the portrait. I do like the possibility of renewing these tempestuous women and men for our times so that they remain instructive. I don’t think we hear nearly enough about adventuresome spirits. Dear Mary Shelley. And your work and impulses, Louise, are constant inspiration to me.
Mark Peterson, 4 months ago
The feel of this is fantastic! Wonderful!
Barbara Sparhawk in reply to Mark Peterson’s comment, 4 months ago
Thank you Mark! Great experience to paint her.
Suzanne German, 4 months ago
one word….
MASTERPIECE
Barbara Sparhawk in reply to Suzanne German’s comment, 4 months ago
Thanks so very much, Suzanne. I’ve always admired her, and it seems to be a well received portrait.
Christopher Ge..., 4 months ago
THANK YOU SO MUCH! truly an inspiration.PS how did your last mural turn out?
Barbara Sparhawk in reply to Christopher Gerber’s comment, 4 months ago
Thanks to you, too, Christopher. The mural is done, came out real well. And someone with a camera dropped by, took lots of great pictures and can’t figure out how to get them into his computer and send them to me. So it may be awhile, so frustrating. Eventually, I’m sure they’ll show up and I’ll post them. Or find another photographer!
DawsonImages, 4 months ago
Very evocative , the eyes draw you right in
Barbara Sparhawk in reply to DawsonImages’s comment, 4 months ago
Thank you, Dawson. I wanted to get that, I thought a lot of her life was lived internally, inventing, behind the eyes.
dSart, 4 months ago
wish i could write like you
love the emotion in the eyes, love the colour
Barbara Sparhawk in reply to dSart’s comment, 4 months ago
Very kind of you, dSart, thank you for the complements. And truly, I couldn’t write like me at one time either, it’s years of practice, strict editors, and searching for the right words and I’m still not where I want to be.
Astrid Pardew, 4 months ago
Your talent is awesome Barbara…. I’m speechless.
Barbara Sparhawk in reply to Astrid Pardew’s comment, 4 months ago
So very kind of you, Astrid. Your use of color, the images that catch your eye, are inspiring to me.
Astrid Pardew, 4 months ago
Thank you Barbara. I feel humbled but grateful for that…and ditto….
bdog09, 3 months ago
wonderful piece of work, it’s a beautiful tribute
Barbara Sparhawk, 3 months ago
Thank you so much, Dan. Your work is very interesting. I have a group of law-enforcement related paintings, including an old Chicago bank robber named Three Gun Molloy. I see these subjects also intrigue you in your work.
ltruskett, 3 months ago
Your artistic ability shines, and the heart is gladened to look upon your wonderful work.
Barbara Sparhawk in reply to ltruskett’s comment, 3 months ago
How lovely of you to say, ltruskett. Thank you so much.
helene ruiz, 3 months ago
excellent
Barbara Sparhawk in reply to helene ruiz’s comment, 3 months ago
Thanks so much, Helene. I admire your painting, and glad to have found you.
David Harris, 2 months ago
Simply awe inspiring!!
Barbara Sparhawk in reply to David Harris’s comment, 2 months ago
Hi David. Many thanks to you. She was quite a woman.
BlueKnot, 2 months ago
Beautiful tribute.
Barbara Sparhawk in reply to BlueKnot’s comment, 2 months ago
Thanks much, BlueKnot. Very fond of her.