Portrait of a James Joyce-ian Looking Young Man in Hat and Glasses 1940s history not the date

not the date

I find myself increasingly interested in old photos that are transformed in strange ways over time and think this is quite a wonderful example

He brings to life the rites of the countryside

with some dry rot to the wood in one area on one piece and small dings and scuffs all over

From the hand-carved mirror

Portrait of a James Joyce-ian Looking Young Man in Hat and Glasses 1940s history not the dateThis poetic portrait makes me think of James Joyce, not just for the spectacles and mustache and sensitive looking face of the subject, but also for the moody manner of the painting, with subdued palette and that shadow on the wall evoking a sense of a haunted interior life. And yet the pink rising high on his cheeks surely signals great passion, and great things yet to come! I believe the portrait is German, with a note on the back that I believe