Curse of the Crying Boy

The "Crying Boy" painting is a phenomenon with an intriguing backstory, stemming from its creation to mass commercial success in the mid-20th century.

1950s-1960s Mass-Produced UK Young Crying Boy Paintings

During the 1950s and 1960s, a series of mass-produced paintings depicting a young crying boy became iconic in the UK.

Paintings by Italian Artist Bruno Amadio, Pseudonym "Giovanni Bragolin"

The original works were the creation of Italian artist Bruno Amadio, also known by his pseudonym, "Giovanni Bragolin." Amadio was a classically trained painter who turned his skills to restoring old paintings in Venice after the tumultuous World War II era.

Portrait of a Blond Boy With Blue Eyes, Crying With Large Teardrops

Bragolin's work, portraying a blond boy with blue eyes, dramatically crying with large teardrops, struck a chord with the public. The poignant imagery of the paintings piqued the interests of many, perhaps harkening to the sentimentality of the era.

Paintings Sold At Woolworth's Gained ...

"Crying Boy" Painting Linked To Home Fires

A series of mysterious fires in homes where the "Crying Boy" painting was displayed has been reported, sparking rumors of a curse. Firefighter Alan Wilkinson witnessed firsthand the painting's eerie ability to remain unscathed through numerous blazes.

Firefighter Alan Wilkinson Saw a Painting Survive 50 Fires (1973-1985) Unscathed

Alan Wilkinson, a firefighter, had been documenting fires in which the "Crying Boy" painting was present since 1973. Over the course of twelve years, he logged forty-nine fires, all featuring the same type of painting within the home. Despite the destruction caused by the fires, these paintings inexplicably remained untouched. Wilkinson claimed to have tackled approximately 50 fires involving this painting between the years 1973 and 1985, yet every time he found the portrait to be undamaged.

Painting Cursed: Boy Linked To Fires

The painting came to be seen as cursed due to the strange incidents linked with its presence. A local priest reportedly recognized the orphaned boy in the painting as Don Benio, who had lost his parents in a devastating fire. The priest suggested that wherever the boy was present, fires would occur. The artist who created the original image, Amadio, had adopted Don Benio, only to have his studio catch fire, leading him to ...

The United Kingdom witnessed an extraordinary case of mass hysteria fueled by The Sun newspaper's reporting on a painting known as the "Crying Boy." Here's an overview of the events that ensued following The Sun's articles.

The Sun's 1985 "Crying Boy Curse" Frenzy

Thousands Shared Tales of Fires and Strange Occurrences Related To the Painting

In September 1985, The Sun published a story with the headline "Blazing Curse of the Crying Boy," which recited a chilling tale of a crying boy painting that was found untouched after a house fire destroyed the Halls' home. After this initial article, people began reaching out to The Sun with claims that they had suffered from the portrait's curse; houses and properties had been destroyed by fire after the painting was brought inside.

The Sun continued to capitalize on the story, publishing anecdotes from callers. One woman claimed her Surrey home burnt down six months after she purchased the painting, while another recounted that a pizza parlor was destroyed by fire, yet the crying boy portrait within remained undamaged.

The Sun Volunteered to Destroy Over 2,500 Unwanted Paintings Sent by Owners

Following an initial surge in panic, the frequency of calls slowed, but by October 1985, The Sun took matters further by announcing they would destroy any "crying boy" paintings sent in by readers. The response was overwhelming; more than 2,500 copies were collected at the paper's offices. Following the widespread panic, The Sun offered to destroy these unwanted paintings, w ...

The story of the "Crying Boy" painting and its associated curse has intrigued paranormal enthusiasts and skeptics alike, prompting investigations into its origins and the truth behind the alleged curse.

Investigators Examine "Crying Boy" Painting Origins and Curse

Paranormal investigators, including Steve Punt, took a deep dive into the myth of the "Crying Boy."

Psychics Sensed Dark Energy From Cursed Painting

In 2010, Steve Punt, a comedian and investigator, brought a "Crying Boy" portrait to a psychic medium and a pagan exorcist. The psychic medium reported an immediate shift in the air upon coming in contact with the painting, sensing impoverishment and discomfort. The psychic also claimed that the boy depicted might not have lived a long life, potentially dying in a fire. The exorcist entertained the notion that the painting bore supernatural qualities, even suggesting that it could undergo an exorcism.

Inconsistencies Revealed Variations by Different Artists

Further investigations into the paintings revealed inconsistencies in their origins, indicating that variations existed by different artists. These findings shed light on the possible multifaceted origins of the paintings tied to the curse.

Experts Say Fire-Retardant Coating Saved Paintings

The phenomenon of these paintings surviving numerous house fires was elucidated not by supernatural explanations but instead by a more scientific one. Some sleuths hypothesized that the paintings were spared from the flames due to a fire-retardant coating. This theory was put to the test in 2010 when an experiment at the Building Research Establishment involving a copy of the painting showed only minor damage, even when exposed to a two-foot flame. Technical director Martin Shipp concluded that the painting might have been treated with a fire-retardant material or made with fire-retardant paint. This q ...