The Little Match-Seller

[Sylvia]

This scene was inspired by Hans Christian Andersen's classic tale.

I've also made desktop wallpaper-sized images which can be downloaded from JustForKl!cks.

[cachalote]

another beautiful girl, sylvia. thank you.
 

[Jimbo]

Very interesting, Sylvia.

Wow!!!

Jimbo

[playmofire]

Excellent, Sylvia.  A`really wistful photo, just right for the time of year.

[macgayver]

Wonderfull piccie dear 

Love the fairytales 

[Little Jo]

Very atmospheric. Beautiful snow 

I wonder how in these tales poor people could walk barefeet in the snow. I assume I couldn't do more than 5 minutes without walking on two ice blocks.

[playmofire]

I wonder how in these tales poor people could walk barefeet in the snow. I assume I couldn't do more than 5 minutes without walking on two ice blocks.

At one school I taught at there were three pupils who came from a strongly vegetarian family and took their concern for animals so far as not to wear leather shoes.  This was in the 1960s when plastic materials for shoes were not all that common, at best plastic was used for sandals.  The three of them (and their parents) went barefoot all year round.

In the past, of course, the fact that horses provided the main form of transport had one benefit, so I've read, for those people walking about barefoot in the winter.  You watched out for horses doing what horses do, and then went and stood in it as it would be very warm from the horse!

(Apologies for lowering the tone of the thread!)

[macgayver]

(Apologies for lowering the tone of the thread!)

No worries , all this is interesting reading 

[Sylvia]

Thanks, everyone, for the nice comments!

Fascinating anecdotes, Gordon - especially about the horses. 

The snow is made from icing sugar. I tired cotton wool to begin with, but the figure's feet would sink into it too far, making it difficult to tell she was barefoot. 

In the story, the girl did have footwear when she left home (a pair of her mother's old slippers which were far too big), but she loses them as she is running across a street, trying to avoid a couple of fast-moving carriages.

[Captain Henry]

Great photo Sylvia! It is indeed very reminiscent of the story. And what a great way to use the witch's body in a custom.