Friday, June 1, 2018

Their Guardian Angel -Paint Party Friday

When I was a little girl, my Mother gave me a beautiful painting for my bedroom.  "It's your little brother and you," she would say.  I loved that picture.  I would often fall asleep looking at it--knowing in my little girl heart that my own Guardian Angel was there beside me.  That print still hangs in my office today. 

This past week, inspired by that wonderful vintage picture, I drew my own version--only with sisters crossing the bridge.  I have the sweetest sisters in the world--and this is for each of them.  I love them dearly and I am incredibly blessed to have them in my life.


Above you see the wonderful artwork which encouraged me for so many years.  I did some research and I discovered there's an interesting backstory to this painting.

In the 1800s artists across Europe began selling paintings of guardian angels watching over young children as they traveled perilous pathways along dangerously high cliffs.

In 1900, a German postcard maker broke that tradition and published a painting by an unknown artist featuring two children and their guardian angel watching over them as they crossed a precarious bridge over treacherous waters

The postcard found an especially receptive audience in the hills of Appalachia, where just about every family used a broken-down, dubiously safe bridge to get home.  Those bridges were built over  steep valleys where flash floods and swift waters were common.

Over time, people associated the painting with God's protection in all of life's hardships.  Mothers and Grandmothers across the mountains began hanging this picture in their living rooms. Today the painting is recognized world wide.

Thank you, dear ones for reading this fascinating bit of history and for dropping by!  It is a happy treat when you visit.  I deeply appreciate your encouraging comments.

May God protect your dear ones and bring hope to your hearts.  Happy Paint Party Friday!





16 comments:

Šolanje na domu-Waldorf said...

Love the details in the angel. Wonderful.

Valerie-Jael said...

We all need guardian angels. Beautiful drawing and story. Hugs, Valerie

sirkkis said...

Lovely drawing and I believe angels being with us.
Happy PPF and weekend 💕

Christine said...

beautiful work, thanks for sharing the story too.

Gillena Cox said...

Yes i'm familiar with your inspiration Picture. And your drawing is gorgeous
Thanks for dropping by my blog today Beth

much love...

JFM said...

Your drawing and version of the guardian angel is very beautiful. I love that you altered the painting to fill your respect and love for your sisters.We have a print of that painting in our family that belonged to my mother-in-law and father-in-law. When they passed away our daughter wanted it so we gave it to her.

Happy PPF 🎨

Lisabella Russo said...

Your piece is delightful and charming. I enjoyed reading about the history as well, thank you!

carol l mckenna said...

Divine guardian angel art work ~ you are so talented!

Happy Times to you,
A ShutterBug Explores,
aka (A Creative Harbor)

Linda Kunsman said...

Oh my gosh- I have a small table light of that scene in my living room!! I have always loved it. How wonderful to read the story behind the scene. And of course your drawing is exquisite. happy PPF!

Jennifer Rose said...

great job drawing all those feathers on the wings :)

Cindy Dauer said...

Amazing texture and details! Particularly the sisters, so charming!

denthe said...

What a wonderful story. I like how you pictured your sisters in your version of it. Great work!

NatureFootstep said...

those paintings were quite common in Sweden as well. I loved them too. Love what you created from it :)

https://linsartyblobs.blogspot.com said...

Lovely drawing, your sisters will be delighted with it I'm sure.

Nordljus said...

What lovely and interesting stories, both your personal one and the one of the painting. And a beautiful, precious drawing.

Soma @ inkTorrents.com said...

Thank you for sharing the wonderful story! Lovely painting, your sisters will be thrilled.

-Soma