The Cock of Barcelos Painting

A tale about faith and hope I'm currently staying at a friends place in Paris, and there were several cocks statues in his flat. I asked him what they were, and he told me they were coming from the Portuguese city of Barcelos. He told me the legend that is attached to this symbol, and it came to me as the sun in the middle of a grey winter. It had been a while I didn't paint, and I was looking for inspiration, both artistically but also in my own life, which got a bit messy lately. So I decided to create this painting, and to share the tale of the Barcelos cock. I wish the tale and the painting will bring you some Sun and light in these troubled times. "Once at Barcelos, a small town on the North of Portugal, a certain man was condemned to be hanged. Convinced of his innocence and in order to prove it, he implored a miracle to "Our Lady". As his last wish he asked to be allowed at the Judge's home, who received him in his dinning room. The condemned, under a sudden faith impulse, said that, as to prove his innocence, the roasted cock which was on the judge's table would get up and crow. In deed, the rooster immediately jumped and started crowing vibrantly. This legend has passed from generation to generation, as a symbol of faith, justice and good luck" I wish you all that you (and I) will receive those three blessings if you need it, and that this painting will inspire you to believe in yourself, in life, in your luck, to ask for miracles when you really need it, even in the most difficult moments.