The London Forgery by Heidi Eljarbo

Author:Heidi Eljarbo [Eljarbo, Heidi]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2023-08-28T16:00:00+00:00

PART III

SUDBURY, SUFFOLK, ENGLAND, 1750

THOMAS WAS IN HIS studio working on the large portrait when Robert Andrews came by unannounced. While some customers wished to be surprised, others were more curious than a child confronted with a wrapped gift. They insisted on witnessing Thomas’s progress.

“Good day, Thomas. I thought I’d come and see the painting before the unveiling next week. Frances and I are both looking forward to it with great anticipation. This will be a work of art for us, our children, our grandchildren, and so on. Everyone will remember Mr. and Mrs. Robert Andrews of Auberies.”

Thomas was not particularly fond of customers who popped by without making prior arrangements. They usually gave their opinion about an already finished product, one he’d unlikely make any changes to. Still, Robert was a friend. Hopefully, he’d understand the symbolism and techniques Thomas had used and be pleased with them.

Robert stood before the portrait, his legs at a wide stance, one hand rubbing his beardless chin. What was going on in his head? Did he like it? Despise it? But in the end, did it matter? To the artist who was pleased with his work and unwilling to change it in order to appease the whims of his clients, no, it did not matter. But for future referrals, good references, and conversations among others, in which his name was mentioned, Thomas preferred satisfied customers.

With his mouth drawn in a fine line, Robert finally nodded, and a sly grin formed on his lips.

“You’ve captured Frances most appropriately. Those suspicious eyes that look your way but not directly at you. That sour but also wry smile that makes you wonder what goes on in her silly, little head.”

Thomas knew what he’d done. Of all the women he’d painted, he’d never made a rendition less flattering. He’d sat her on a fancy bench in front of a massive English oak in the middle of their estate. The young woman could never have walked through the grass and mud by herself. It would have soiled and ruined her exquisite gown and her tiny, silken shoes. No, for the sake of the portrait, Thomas had placed her there.

Even though he’d positioned them off center to the far left of the painting, the couple immediately drew one’s attention because of the bright, contrasting colors. For the landscape part of the painting, Thomas had used colors that blended well together to exemplify the soothing calmness of the English countryside, a view that was not allowed to take the interest away from the couple.

“Look at us sitting there in a golden sweep of fields of grain with cows and sheep in the background, looking toward our manor. What have you done to make Frances and me dominate the picture? I am certain you have applied painting techniques a layman such as I won’t perceive as such.”

“Very few people ask me about the details, and I’m glad you have. First, the landowners are the focus of the portrait, so I’ve created you both larger in scale.

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