—
title: The Curse of the Crying Boy Paintings: Do They Bring Misfortune?
—

The Curse of the Crying Boy Paintings: Do They Bring Misfortune?

In the realm of the supernatural and urban legends, there exists a curious and eerie tale about a series of paintings known collectively as “The Crying Boy.” These artworks, which depict various sobbing children, have been the subject of speculation and fear for decades. Many believe that these paintings are cursed and bring misfortune, particularly fires, to those who possess them. Let’s delve into the story and investigate the truth behind the curse of the Crying Boy paintings.

Origins of The Crying Boy Paintings

The Crying Boy is a generic name given to a mass-produced print of a painting, typically featuring a tearful child. The most famous of these was painted by Italian artist Giovanni Bragolin in the 1950s, who was also known as Bruno Amadio. These prints were extremely popular in the post-World War II era, particularly in the United Kingdom, and many households across the country had a copy hung on their walls.

The Legend of the Curse

The legend of the curse began circulating in the 1980s when a series of inexplicable fires broke out in homes across England. Strangely, the fires seemed to obliterate everything except for the Crying Boy paintings, which reportedly remained unscathed among the ashes. This peculiar phenomenon caught media attention after a story was published by The Sun newspaper in 1985, in which a firefighter claimed that undamaged prints of the Crying Boy were frequently found at the sites of burned-down houses. From there, the story took off, and the legend of the cursed paintings became a part of British folklore.

Alleged Accounts of Misfortune

Following the media coverage, numerous individuals came forward with their own accounts of bad luck associated with the paintings. They reported a range of misfortunes, from personal tragedies to further house fires, all occurring after they acquired a Crying Boy print. The growing hysteria led to people attempting to rid themselves of the paintings, with some even claiming that they found it impossible to burn the pictures themselves.

Skeptical Explanations

Despite the alarm, skeptics have offered more rational explanations for the phenomenon. The fact that the paintings were mass-produced and widely popular means that it’s statistically likely for them to appear in many homes, including those that experienced fires. Additionally, the prints themselves were treated with a varnish that could have been fire-retardant, which might explain why they often survived the blazes.

Some also suggest that the story was a classic example of confirmation bias, where people give more weight to evidence that supports their existing beliefs. Thus, any fire involving a Crying Boy painting was noted and added to the myth, while numerous other fires without the painting did not draw attention.

Scientific Investigations

To put the theory to the test, several experiments were conducted, including one by the TV program “QED” produced by the BBC in 1995. The show found that, when exposed to heat, the varnish used on the paintings did indeed seem to prevent the paper beneath from burning as quickly. They also conducted a controlled burn of a room with a Crying Boy painting and found that the painting was no more or less likely to survive a fire than any other object treated with a similar varnish.

Modern Perception of the Curse

Today, the tale of the Crying Boy paintings is considered a captivating urban legend, with many still intrigued by the stories of misfortune surrounding the artworks. While much of the evidence leans towards natural explanations for the fires and survival of the prints, the story remains a popular example of how modern myths can spread and gain a foothold in public consciousness.

Conclusion: Myth or Reality?

It appears that the curse of the Crying Boy paintings is more legend than fact. However, the power of a story, especially one laced with dread and mystery, can sometimes overshadow reality. Whether or not the paintings are truly cursed, they serve as a reminder of the human propensity to find patterns and meanings in the chaotic and often inexplicable nature of misfortune.

In conclusion, while the Crying Boy paintings may not bring actual misfortune, they will forever be remembered as icons of urban myth and as a testament to the fascinating way in which legends can form and evolve.