Striking Oil on Board Portrait of Woman in Profile with Blue Earring puzzle blocks from the finished glass legs

from the finished glass legs on their backsides

I spent many an hour playing jacks as a child

or a good tackle box too--or just a good box to stash some things in an set somewhere to admire

with crowns on one side and concentric rings on the other

The painting dates to the 1940s I believe

Striking Oil on Board Portrait of Woman in Profile with Blue Earring puzzle blocks from the finished glass legsI spotted this beauty from across the room and made a bee line for her. I've got a thing for paintings with very dark grounds, which lend a sort of mystery and elusiveness to their subjects, I think, and it's just right for setting off the pale skinned, red lipped profile of this fine featured woman, with blue drop earring matching the dab of blue to her eye. The portrait makes me think of both Vermeer and of African hairdresser signboards. Lovely. 7