The French boulangerie in my town closed its doors recently though it dated back to the 1800s. The original facade was taken off for safe keeping as the boulangerie will be transformed into apartments. In a land where history is in every breath taken and in every step walked, it shouldn't surprise me that one hundred year old things seem less important than two or three hundred year old things.
The ceiling in the boulangerie, that I have admired for over twenty years, had a hand painted canvas painting, three meters by two point eight meters (roughly ten feet). An angel on each corner: One holding cherries, one holding melons, another grapes and one holding a cornucopia of roses. The painting is known as the "Angels bringing seasonal fruit to make jam."
It was soiled from years of living above petite fours, croissants, eclairs, baguettes, pain au chocolates…
As the ceiling was twenty feet high, plus the lack of light made photos difficult. I will take better ones when I can unroll it in day light.
The young man stood on his tippy toes, on top of the ladder, while pulling out the nails that surrounded the painting. He was very careful. I admired him and thought: "He could be my handy man!" I didn't dare say my thought out loud. But I seriously admired his care to detail.
There is one angel in each corner. Each one has a different pose.
Some with baskets most with ribbons and smiles.
At first glance it seems to have been painted in 1920s or so.
But only an expert could tell the real date.
This angel above shows us its better side.
In the center faint clouds depict a perfect day.
A solid iron hand made hook is in the center to hold a chandelier. I don't know where the chandelier went… I never saw it in the twenty years that I went into this bakery.
I don't know what I will do with it. For the moment I will admire it, take photos of it and let it "speak" to me.
The painting is known as: " The angels bringing seasonal fruit to make jam".
The ceiling painting was framed, once with a small trim and then framed with another larger frame which covered lights that reflected on the painting.
Down. In one safe piece!
The photo (above) shows the other side with is bare.
Though it would fit in my home, I think it would be better in a bigger room, with high ceilings, with plenty of empty wall space around it and light.
They added a light layer of plastic to protect it, then rolled it up large, and carefully. Then carried it to my home.
P.S. No winner on the Guessing Game. I hate to say this but I think I have finally stumped you all!!
Leave a Reply