“Portrait of Sylvia Schou” (1911)
painted by Thorvald Hellesen (1888 – 1937)
Shadowed with dark cloud suspicion
In weighted hues of benefit
Surreptitious and forbidden
Shadowed with dark cloud suspicion
Repeat offense? First commission?
One cost of social tarriffing
Shadowed with dark cloud suspicion
In weighted hues of benefit
Lillian is today’s host for dVerse’ Poetics. Lillian says:
Write a poem using ONE of the portraits … painted by Thorvald Hellesen, as your inspiration.
Tao Talk 
I think you’ve captured the look on her face…the shadows that seem to be behind her cloak and hat….and then the idea of shadows being suspicions. An interesting take on the portrait! So glad you posted.
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I like what you see here, Lillian. Thanks for your eye.
I noticed how heavy those layers seemed, how the black hat felt suspended over her being and how the edges of it appear to be vibrating. I imagined her looking over and seeing her philandering husband flirting with a new boy toy (as evidenced by how Mr. Shou is depicted in another painting.)
That was a fun ekphrastic prompt to write to, thank you for it and for hosting.
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Oooh very deep, dark, and cunningly perceptive, all framed in a disciplined form.
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Kathy, thank you for the high praise. Much appreciated 🙂
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That black hat does stand out, and you’ve captured her expression. (K)
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I’m so happy that Lillian introduced us to the artist. He’s amazingly skilled.
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👏🏻I love your triolet.👏🏻
Especially
“in weighted hues of benefit”
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Melissa, thank you!
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You are most welcome.❤️
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She does carry a look of foreboding under that had. Nice capture by your words.
Thanks for dropping by my blog.
Much💖love
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That’s what I thought, Gillena. It, like her expression, are like dark presences in the otherwise pastel work, and the way he has the “energy” around the brim of it says she may be enchanted in a bad way. Thank you and happy to visit your blog ❤
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You have captured this very welll! Shadows of suspicion in her eyes.. Yes!
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Well done, Lisa.
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❤ Thanks, Ken! I love this artist's work and am so happy Lillian brought him to us.
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I never thought of shadows before, but you captured her expression, like a burden on her mind.
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Thanks, Grace, the hat is like a rain cloud over her mood and expression.
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Excellent take on the photo. Really expressive and well written! 👏
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MW, thanks much.
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A very deep poem Li. You’ve studied this painting very thoroughly.
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Sadje, thank you, once I decided which one I had to figure out what to say.
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Well done my friend
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That is a very interesting take on the painting. I see the suspicion now.
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Sean thank you, there is just so much that is off about the context this young woman finds herself in.
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She is suspicious for sure!! I like the “S” sound repetition, on purpose or accidental?
..
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Jim, did not notice that at all about the “S” sound, thank you for pointing it out 🙂
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The expression on her face…. she might be suspicious of the painter
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May be! I wondered if she was forced to pose also.
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A stunning response to the prompt, Lisa! You expressed the emotion in the painting with such finesse! 💖💖💖
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Sanaa, thank you for your lovely comment. Much appreciated ❤
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She does look a little shady…I have to say.
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🙂
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Clever word smithing to match the heaviness of her guise and the uneasiness in her eyes.
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Thank you, Mish.
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Great use of the triolet Lisa you captured her expression so well ❤️
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AJ thank you 🙂
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I love the triolet. It works so well with your words to the picture
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Thank you very much, Christine.
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You really captured her look for me, it stands out and your poem brings such meaning to it. (I’d best have a word with her husband).
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🙂 Thanks much, Paul.
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