Our Lady of Consolation is the name of the image of the Virgin Mary that appears in one of many miraculous paintings. This piece painted by Saint Luke is now housed in a chapel in Torino, Italy. But the painting is not a mere icon of the temple; it’s said that in 1104 the Virgin appeared to a blind man in Briançon, France. His name was Jean Ravais, and as the story goes, the Lady of Consolation promised to return his eyesight if he took her to Torino, to the church of Saint Andrew.
Like this, there are other miraculous stories hidden within paintings. While hearing some of these stories brings us hope, there are others that leave us looking over our shoulder in fear. There are cursed paintings that, despite being world renowned, nobody wants to have in their collection. These artworks have become famous due to the macabre stories told by some unlucky owners.
Ghostly hauntings and deaths, these are just some of the consequences these brush-stroked legends have been a part of.
Though some of the previous owners have not lived to tell the tale, many witnesses have confirmed that these canvases hide a curse that traps those who dare to own or even look at these cursed paintings.
Love Letters
This painting is found in the Driskill Hotel in Austin, Texas. Each time visitors come close or look directly at the canvas, they feel sick or dizzy. Others swear to have levitated for a few seconds when attempting to close their eyes after looking at the girl in this cursed painting.
Venus of the Mirror
Despite being a beautiful work by Velazquez, there is no museum, hotel, or venue that wishes to house it. Every owner of this Venus has had a sudden terminal illness or has been murdered. There is a rumor that a museum employee attempted to rip the painting with a blade but the canvas barely got a scratch.
Portrait of a Witch Girl
This painting is said to have belonged to a Spaniard who claimed the portrait’s stare followed him. He also said that at night a gray silhouette appeared on the side of the canvas. Many claim that the specter belongs to Madam Delphine Lalaurie.
Portrait of Bernando de Galvez
The fear created by this painting is such that guests at the Galvez Hotel, where it’s housed, must ask the canvas for permission before gazing at it. They say that there is a curse surrounding the painting that will befall anyone who dares to look at it without permission.
Paintings of The Weeping Children
They say that these paintings are a doorway that leads to the devil. Terrible misfortunes will befall anyone who dares place any of these on the walls of their home. Some of these tragedies include fires that destroyed entire homes, leaving no trace except for the intact painting.
The Cursed Painting of Lalaurie
In 1997 Ricardo Pustanio painted the portrait of Madame Lalaurie, who appears to move in the canvas. There are those who say that the painting sighs and appears in different places inside the New Orleans mansion. However the painting’s creator assures that his health and wellbeing has been perfect despite having the painting in his home.
The Anxious Man
This painting was done by a man with a particular mental disorder. He even used his own blood to create the painting and committed suicide upon finishing it. The painting currently belongs to the Robinson family, which claims the canvas moans at night.
Translated by María Suárez
