Anna from beyond
Portrait and meaning
By Raymond G. TaylorPublished about a month ago • Updated 5 days ago • 1 min read
Anna Bilińska-Bohdanowicz (1854–1893), Self-Portrait with a Palette, 1887, detail
Paintress
You appear to me from across
The mists of time
An image divine
Eight and thirty years before
One hundred more
Nothing to eternity
Your gaze from beyond
The grave
Frank
Inviting
Yet rejecting
Complicity
To interpret how
Burnt umber brow
Frames a face
Intriguing
Does it invite conversation
Suggest contemplation
Or mock with its sure smile
Beguile me with your enigma
Of self image
Assured
Anna Bilińska-Bohdanowicz
About the Creator
Raymond G. Taylor
Author living in Kent, England. Writer of short stories and poems in a wide range of genres, forms and styles. A non-fiction writer for 40+ years. Subjects include art, history, science, business, law, and the human condition.
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Comments (5)
I love how you captured the mood of self portrait with your words. Especially the line: “How burnt umber brow frames a face.” This is a masterful work Ray. Deserving of top story status. Anna is a handsomely attractive lady.
I love how you used minimal words to describe this beautiful painting. The single word lines said way more than if you had used overly descriptive flowery language. Your words truly did justice to this stunning woman.
Stellar writing Raymond!
Simply glorious, Ray! And that painting I'm guessing has broken a thousand hearts. I am fortunate that I am no longer young for assuredly it would have broken mine. Thanks for sharing such beautiful words with the portrait of such a striking and enigmatic woman!
I’ve never heard of her before, but this poem makes me want to learn more, beautifully written!