The head [of the mermaid], from the crown to the chin, forms rather a long oval, and the face seems to resemble that of the seal, though, at the same time, it is far more agreeable, possessing a peculiar softness… The upper and back part of the head appeared to be furnished with something like hair, and the fore part of the body with something like down, between a very like fawn and a very pale pink colour, which at a distance had the appearance of flesh, and may have given rise to the idea, that the body of the mermaid is, externally, like that of the human being… From the waist it gradually tapered so as to form a tail, which had the appearance of being covered with strong, broad polished scales, which occasionally reflected the rays of the sun in a very beautiful manner... ~ Jean Toupin writing about his experience on a sailing cruise off Devon, England in August of 1812
Header: Surprising Catch by Gil Elvgren c 1952
3 comments:
Silly Frenchman...that was a Selkie -swam down from the Orkneys, to be sure!
http://www.orkneyjar.com/folklore/selkiefolk/
Ahoy, Pauline! Not surprisingly I'm sure, I prefer the mermaid in the picture...
Captain: I think you're right! Pouvre Jacques just didn't know what he was looking at :)
Timmy! Me too. I thought about a more traditional picture but then I decided that everybody loves a mermaid pinup, probably even Jean Toupin...
Post a Comment