I've always loved this painting. My mom has always loved this painting. And honestly, I've never met anyone who--when this painting was mentioned--didn't love it. The secrecy, the longing, the melancholy tenderness... It's all so ✨romantic✨. Until it isn't. (Spoiler alert: He dies, her brothers die, she dies...) Hellelil and Hildebrand own perhaps one of the most tragic medieval love stories. She falls in love with her personal guard, but they are forbidden to be together. As such, her father orders her brothers to kill him. In the end, only one brother remains standing, and he sells Hellelil in exchange for a church bell. The bell rings, and her life comes to an end. This painting is meant to reflect that final tender moment before Hildebrand chooses to meet his fate head on. But... what if he hadn't lost the fight? What if Hellelil and Hildebrand were able to have their happily ever after? If you're someone who (like me) wishes their story hadn't ended...
all things softly, gently romantic