Do you have a reference for that?
The ‘Monkeys Paw’ charm is a type of knot and I’ve seen that in jewelry.
I’ve never seen someone carry a real monkey’s paw as a charm.
I can’t even find reference to that particular habit via startpage.
Because this doesn’t resemble a monkey’s paw. It looks like a human baby hand.
And the fact that it’s red. Like those shoes...
No sauce, that’s just what it made me think of. I’m sure you’re right.
“I’ve never seen someone carry a real monkey’s paw as a charm.”
++++++++++++++++++++++
I think first to understand the painting, we have to understand the times and then the artist, which the latter is proving hard to find lol. I don’t think it nefarious at all. In a couple of other portraits of the Infant Anna Maria, she has around her waist several either talismans or amulets and one is a monkey’s paw. Also I believe that many artists of that time painted their subjects holding something red in the right hand. In another painting of when the Infant Anna Maria (6 mo?), she is holding a red piece of coral that was used as a teething item. People were extremely superstitious back then. They relied on priests, talismans, amulets, etc to protect them from evil. And remember, once again, we are dealing with the very wealthy of society, but I don’t think the painter was evil, I think it was his style. Also, I believe that these portraits were called “gift portraits” given to the family of her future husband. I read that her future husband did not believe the portraits so he went and spied on her, found her quite beautiful and they were happily married a long time. Anyway, I have emailed the museum where the portrait hangs and asked them about the red hand, so hopefully they will get back to me!
Petey