The Gypsy Sisters of Seville

Pondering on a picture from Sudley House

Gypsy Sisters of Seville', 
Painting by John Phillip

Zoom into the detail of this painting

This work, by an artist famed for his colourful pictures of Spanish life, was commissioned from the artist by George Holt the elder and is typical of the art that was to be found in his home in Lodge

 

Who were the girls here painted

What of life did they know

Their colourful clothes and expressions

A life of plenty seem to show...

This picture now in a collection

That hangs upon a wall

Seems to stand out from the others

And to the viewer call

The girls possess a spirit

As they look out from the frame

As if about to start a dance

And we dont know their name

 

In Sudley house John Philips creation

Of Gypsy girls from the streets of Seville

O know not their story or end today

And maybe never will

And maybe thats true of us all

Who seek to prosper and thrive

For all we have and have done

After our day, few will know we were alive...

Forever captured upon a canvas

Their five minutes of fame

Two girls shall be known by many

Who will never know their name.

 

-- o O o --

 

http://www.liverpoolmuseums.org.uk/sudley/collections/library/gypsy_sisters_phillip.aspx

 

Artwork Details

Medium and Support: Oil on canvas
Date: about 1854
Accession No: WAG 285

Reviews

[Gandré]

You are "apostle of minorities.." I love this about your writing. You always bring into my mind something I didn't think about... In fact Gypsies never get land.. they were taken away of their geography and everyone hates them... in Slovakia - this is so bad... as Slovakia is now the door to western world.. they come from Romania and hope a better life.. They have their own culture and t heir spirit is even stronger than any.. for to survive they have to be taugh and hold together ... I love those sad songs, you know Hungarian Gypsy Music? It is beautiful. I have been to a concert, I had tears.. for this music is crying, must hear !

Great writing. thanks for stepping by and reviewing my new poem The Dance.

[Gandré]

They represent those wonderful people - who won't make history.... and put smile on my face I wrote such a poem about a girl "Second Date", the world is full of goddesses....

[Salvatore Buttaci]

Well done! Often poets contrive their rhymes, but yours fit well.

Sal

[Lestat's daughter]

Very pretty, well done.