| The Crying Boy | |
|---|---|
 The artist's signature G Bragolin is present in the top-right corner | |
| Background | |
| Type | Phenomena |
| Continent | Europe |
| Country | England |
| One-Time? | No |
| Theories | · Painting · House fires |
The Crying Boy is a complex interplay of art, urban legend, and psychological response to perceived misfortune. The painting itself, created by Italian artist Giovanni Bragolin (the pseudonym of Bruno Amadio), depicts tearful children and gained notoriety in the 1980s due to a series of unexplained house fires in the UK where copies of the painting were found intact amidst the ruins.
Description[]
In September 1985 when a firefighter from Essex claimed that undamaged copies of “The Crying Boy” were frequently discovered in burned homes. This claim was reported by the British tabloid newspaper The Sun, which sensationalized the story, leading to widespread belief in a curse associated with the painting. The narrative suggested that owning this artwork could bring disaster or misfortune, particularly through house fires.
Numerous incidents were reported where homes suffered devastating fires while “The Crying Boy” remained unscathed. For example, one family lost their home but found their copy of the painting untouched among charred debris. Similar stories emerged from various individuals who claimed that after acquiring the painting, they experienced tragic events or fires. These accounts fueled public anxiety and led many to believe in its cursed nature.
In response to growing concerns about the supposed curse, investigations were conducted to understand why these paintings survived such extreme conditions. A notable investigation by Steve Punt on BBC Radio 4 concluded that the prints were treated with fire-retardant varnish and made from high-density hardboard, making them less likely to catch fire easily. This scientific explanation debunked many myths surrounding the curse and attributed survival during fires to material properties rather than supernatural causes.
Possible Explanations[]
There are several explanations as to what the phenomenon could be. Theories include:
- A painting
- A house in fire
Trivia[]
- “The Crying Boy,” individuals who owned or encountered the painting may have been more likely to attribute any misfortune they experienced to it, reinforcing their belief in its curse. This cycle perpetuated fear and superstition around an otherwise benign piece of art.