i'm still perplexed by this painting, a multiple portrait of the saltonstall family
second wife is sitting at the right holding the new baby, detached, expressionless
first wife, deceased, lays on the bed with eyes open holding out her hand
the tate gallery say she is gesturing towards her children
but every time i look at the painting, i think he is about to drop that glove into the palm of her hand
and if he was, then what did the glove or the action signify ?
the artist, thought to have been david des granges, left no explanation
the tate gallery website carries two descriptions of the work ...
http://www.tate.org.uk/servlet/ViewWork?cgroupid=999999968&workid=3821&searchid=15051
https://www.tate.org.uk/servlet/ViewWork?cgroupid=999999961&workid=3821&searchid=10739&roomid=false&tabview=text&texttype=9
Maybe this item on the symbolism of gloves in Freemasonry offers a clue:
http://www.sacred-texts.com/mas/sof/sof22.htm
... and this one by a glovemaker ...
http://www.glove.org/gallery/mirianna.php
Etc., etc.
So I've reached a point where I'm prepared to believe that both ladies are dressed in white to show their innocence before their "Maker", and that the glove itself may possibly symbolize the honest and legal transfer of their property when the ownership of various estates was changed by marriage.
Much, much later ... THINKS: possibly, the dead lady is gesturing a request that he continue to care for their children after his second marriage, and maybe the white glove signifies his honourable assent.
