"You look in excellent health to me, Potter, so you will excuse me if I don’t let you off homework today. I assure you that if you die, you need not hand it in." —Minerva McGonagall
My final miniature portrait in the series is of my favourite professor. Minerva McGonagall, portrayed by Maggie Smith, is an absolute spitfire of a character. Her dry wit and sharp remarks had me in stitches… I loved how she could keep a classroom in line! And that scene where she teaches the students to dance… absolute GOLD!
So while painting, I asked the question… who would have carried her portrait with them? And to my surprise I discovered, that Professor McGonagall was actually married! This character development was revealed outside the HP book series… but it was bittersweet to discover that the Professor we knew was actually a widow, as she had been married a few years to Elphinstone Urquart.
They were married in their later years so had no children, but lived in a cottage near the school so that Minerva could travel to work easily each day. Elphinstone sadly passed away early in their marriage (accidental tentacula bite!) and so Minerva moved back to the school permanently. A few years later, a young wizard with a distinct scar on his forehead arrived for his first year at the school of witchcraft and wizardry.
So while painting her portrait, I imagined her husband would have kept this cheeky portrait at home, while she was away at school teaching those "babbling, bumbling, band of baboons!"
This antique photo box once contained a deteriorating photo of a baby, who had no family or friends left to keep this small memento of her life. Which is very similar to McGonagall, who had no children of her own to carry on her sassy memory. It’s hard to describe the bittersweet feelings I felt while painting this portrait and finally putting in the case... but I hope I’ve captured some of that in the painting.
…it is also a small token of my appreciation for Maggie Smith, who brought masterful zing to this character for many years.
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I collected this antique daguerreotype photo (c1860) with the intention of replacing the miniature glass photo with a painted portrait. I was surprised at how it pulled on the heartstrings removing the old photo. These photos were created in a process using iodine-sensitized silvered plate, and mercury vapour. The little photo is incredible to look at, and feels like holding a piece of history in my hands. But like all old photos... without sentimental attachment, it loses its value. Tin type photos are easy to find online, and not many people are interested in photos of other people's family and relatives... often finding them creepy! I hope to find a home for this little glass photo, so will keep it safe till then.
I replaced the glass with non-glare glass, so that it feels like there is nothing between you and the miniature painting. The velvet was carefully cleaned from dust.
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"Professor"
4.5 x 6 cm acrylic on paper
6x3 x 7.5 x 2 cm in antique dagguerotype photo box (c1800s)
Glass dome display included :
High Borosilicate Glass Dome Size: 15.5 x 15 cm / 6.1 x 5.9 inch (H*Dia);
Wood Base Diameter: 17 cm / 6.7 inch;
Overall Height: 16 cm / 6.3 inch
