A Peacock At Beallair
by Lois Bryan
Title
A Peacock At Beallair
Artist
Lois Bryan
Medium
Photograph - Photography / Digital Art
Description
A colorful peacock displays his magnificent plumage on the lawn of the historic Beallair, (Beall-Air) near Harpers Ferry, West Virginia.
Beallair ... or Beall-Air, also known as the Colonel Lewis William Washington House, is a two-story stuccoed brick house in classical revival style near Halltown or Charles Town, West Virginia. It was the home of Colonel Lewis William Washington, great-great nephew of George Washington and hostage in John Brown's raid on Harpers Ferry, West Virginia. Thank you Wikipedia.
Now. As the locals tell it, the story goes that one October evening in 1859 Colonel Lewis Washington was asleep in his bed, which on that night was in the room to the right of the front porch, first floor, when visitors suddenly and loudly came a callin'. Apparently, they crashed through the ornamental glass to the side of the front door, unlocked the door, and in they came. Lo and behold, it was that crazy John Brown, the infamous abolitionist, and his merry band. Their plan was to capture Colonel Washington and hold him for ransom when they descended on the nearby town of Harper's Ferry and its enticing munitions storage area. Turns out, nobody wanted to pay poor Colonel Washington's ransom. Somehow, however, he did manage to get free. Whether he escaped or whether he was left by the side of the road when the smoke cleared from all the commotion with the raid, I don't know. But as Colonel Washington lived to tell the tale, he was quite brave and valiant throughout his ordeal. It's said that John Brown, however, told the story a little differently. That there might have been a bit of time on his knees, begging for his life going on ... but ... ah well. We'll never really know, will we.
To the best of my knowledge, no peacocks were harmed during these activities.
The original home, now the rear portion of the house, is believed to have been built by Thomas Beall prior to 1800. Beall's daughter Elizabeth married George Corbin Washington in 1807. George Corbin was the grandson of Augustine Washington, half-brother of George Washington. The present front of the house was added in 1820.
The image of the peacock was actually snapped at a different time and place. Through the magic of Photoshop, the two come together in a fanciful and fun work of art.
Fine art purchases of this image will not include a watermark, and if I may make a recommendation ... this image will look its very best on the fine art paper choice of "picture rag."
Uploaded
July 20th, 2014
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Viewed 2,688 Times - Last Visitor from New York, NY on 03/28/2024 at 1:10 AM
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Comments (43)
Luther Fine Art
Congratulations! Your fantastic art has been featured on the ABC Group home page from the Y IS FOR YARD themed week, JUNE 28, 2021- JULY 5, 2021. You are invited to add your wonderful art in the Features Archive Discussion in the ABC GROUP as a way to preserve your feature!
Christopher James
One of your peers nominated this image in the 1000 views Groups nominated images by your fellow artist in the Special Features #8 promotion discussion. Please visit and pass on the love to another artist.
Christopher James
Congratulation.....your wonderful work has been featured in the 1000 Views on 1 Image Group l/f/p
Maria Coulson
CONGRATULATIONS!! Your artwork has been Featured in the “Balconies, Windows and Doors Group” Thank you for sharing it!
Polly Peacock
Well you know that I have to fave this - one of my rellies!!! LOL! Beautiful work Lois!!!
Lois Bryan replied:
Darling girl!!!! Honored that you enjoyed it!!!! Yes, I see the resemblance !!! LOL!!!
Ann Horn
A beautiful peacock, gorgeous clouds, and a stately home... what fantastic components for a marvelous work of art, Lois! f/l
Lenore Senior
Amazing and beautiful work, as always! Instant v/f. (BTW, I seldom get to feature your work because you always have 3 features already!)
Lois Bryan replied:
Lenore, you've got me smiling ear to ear ... thank you so much ... for the feature and for your lovely note!!!