There's something about old portraits, particularly in period frames, that gives me spooky vibes. It's probably related to old movies and television shows where human eyes peered through the portraits:
The Andy Griffith Show "The Haunted House", season 4, episode 2
Or portraits of ladies that had gardening sheers stuck in their throat. IN THE THROAT!:
I've been decorating the interior of my home with found vintage photographs for the past few years, which you may have seen in previous posts.
I hope the idea doesn't come across as disrespectful to the families of these people, but the alternative is these pictures would have been thrown away and not knowing who they are makes it difficult to return to any family members that might be interested. So I think at least by keeping and displaying them, their memories are kept alive.
I came across a couple different large portraits this past year which I feel adds greatly to the overall look I'm going for.
Mixed with a couple of my own family portraits completes the vibe.
The only thing missing is cobwebs. Those may get added before the season is through.
*shudder* -- nicely done!
ReplyDeleteCool stuff. And we just rewatched The Ghost and Mr. Chicken the other day, fun movie.
ReplyDeleteOn a sad note, I was in Goodwill a couple months back, and for sale was a portrait of a dude and it just felt sad. No one wanted to keep it and it was for sale to strangers.
Yes, I see it all the time at estate sales. I used to ask to make sure no one in the family wanted the pictures, but soon understood many people do not want their old family photos, either because of disinterest, bad blood or they don't even know who the people in the photos are. There are a couple photos in my post above which I learned the identity of and found horrible details of in period newspapers and can understand why someone would not want the photos. I have been able to successfully return some photos to distant family members by contacting them through Ancestry.
DeleteThat is cool of you to put in the effort to try and place them with those who want them. As for the others, I get it. No more info needed LOL
ReplyDeleteOld photos do look kind of creepy sometimes. They can add unease to a movie or a tv series. Even a book, if done properly.
ReplyDeleteThis are fantastic ... and inspiring. I want to tour your house! .... I understand the family photos thing. It can be overwhelming. I was the one how inherited because no one else wanted them. I certainly like have a few photos of my great-grandparents --- but having 60+ of each of them is excessive and even stressful.
ReplyDeleteMy oldest sister inherited my families photos. I scanned them all and am satisfied with having them digitally (I know, not the same as physical, but also not as stressful). I don't know where they'll go after her as I don't think her kids are interested. It can be a burden for sure.
DeleteThe funny thing is that after a few generations, many people have no idea who their ancestor were.
ReplyDeleteFunny, true and sad.
DeleteI never really got people getting rid of photos until I got a bit older, but can now undertstand that sometimes you just don't want to be reminded of some people, or don't want the burden of having so many photos....But as someone who did a bit of ancestor hunting I loved finding all the photos of relatives and sometimes wished I had more too! I guess it comes down to individual choice...and by keeping these photos, whoever these people are, they're still being remembered in some way at least!
ReplyDeleteI did a fairly deep dive into my genealogy a few years back and I feel the same way -- I would hope someone would save a photo of one of my relatives for the possibility of it being identified one day and at least a face for someone I've only known as a name. I think that's why I hang onto all of the photos I find.
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