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Tamsin Blight, the White Witch of Helston, William Jones Chapman (1808-1872)
Poster Prints from Royal Cornwall Museum
Tamsin Blight, the White Witch of Helston, William Jones Chapman (1808-1872)
Oil on canvas, English School, 1856. A portrait of an elderly woman wearing a bonnet and shawl, seated in a chair. Thomasine Blight (1793-1856), known locally as Tammy Blee, was the best remembered of the pellars or witches of West Cornwall. Sometimes known as a cunning-person or conjurer, she was thought to perform only good deeds, notably the removal of curses of black witches and numerous cures. Even when she was on her death bed people were carried in to see her, some on stretchers. It was said that the sick lay beside her only to rise up and go down over the stairs perfectly cured. She was also known as a fortune teller. Tammys second husband, James Thomas, had similar occult powers and there was considerable rivalry between them. W.J. Chapman was a Cornish portrait painter who was active between 1840-1860. This portrait was painted in the year of Blights death in 1856
Royal Cornwall Museum is the UK's Greatest Museum For Cornish Life & Culture
TRURI : 1935.2
Media ID 19243518
© RIC
Artist Artwork Black Blue Cornwall Face Green Grey Head Lady Painting Pink Portrait White Woman Yellow Shoulders
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This portrait, titled "Tamsin Blight, the White Witch of Helston" captures the essence of a remarkable woman who was revered in West Cornwall. Painted by William Jones Chapman in 1856, this oil on canvas artwork showcases an elderly Tamsin Blight wearing a bonnet and shawl while seated gracefully in a chair. Thomasine Blight, also known as Tammy Blee locally, was renowned for her mystical abilities as a cunning-person or conjurer. Believed to only perform good deeds, she specialized in removing curses cast by black witches and healing various ailments. Even on her death bed, people were brought to witness her powers firsthand – some even carried on stretchers. It was said that those who lay beside her would miraculously rise up cured. Tammy's second husband James Thomas possessed similar occult powers which led to intense rivalry between them. However, it is Tamsin's legacy that remains etched into history as one of the most prominent pellars or witches of West Cornwall. W. J. Chapman skillfully portrays Tamsin's wise and weathered face with intricate details such as lace adorning her attire. The artist's use of colors like green, blue, black, white, grey pink yellow and red adds depth to the painting while capturing the spirit of Cornish culture. Displayed at the Royal Cornwall Museum today, this portrait serves as a testament to Tamsin Blight's enduring reputation and influence within the community during her lifetime.
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