“The Blue Boy” is the story of a painting that became a national symbol in the United Kingdom

In London (United Kingdom), The The blue boy Is a national symbol. Why is canvas so popular in the UK? Dressed in blue and with his hand on his waist, the young stranger received the assurance of a king. The canvas, painted by Thomas Keynesboro in Britain in 1770, was inspired by portraits of the royal family. But instead of warm colors, the painter highlighted one blue with contrasting shades, Prussian blue.

Then he caused a stir. “It’s inappropriate to use blue or cool as the main color in a work of art. I think the highlighted blue really made a big impact.” Christine Riding, Superintendent of the National Gallery explains.

In 1922, an unexpected event strengthened the British connection: The blue boy Sold to an American billionaire. It will become the most expensive painting in the world, and its departure to the United States will be enjoyed as a national drama. A century later, he returned to the country for an exhibition that revealed one of his secrets: an X-ray reveals a photograph of a dog near the Blue Boy, which was covered in paint.