An iPhone-like gadget held by a half-naked Indian
The painting, in which you can see an iPhone-like object, was painted by the Italian artist Umberto Romano in 1937. At that time, there was no question of anything like that. Then what is the Indian holding in his hand?
“He holds a smartphone,” many enthusiasts assure, “he holds it the way today's people do in the 21st century. But the Indian is amazed, as befits a man who first saw a wonderful device. Maybe he is looking at photos or even videos uploaded to the gadget.
The title of the film is Mr. Pynchon and the Settling of Springfield. It depicts the British colonial merchant William Pynchon, who, according to legend, founded Springfield. There the painting is located - in the building of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Entire painting by Umberto Romano
The most popular hypothesis is that the tied man is a time traveler whose smartphone was taken away by the Indians. But it does not explain how Umberto Romano could have known about such a fantastic plot twist and who told him about what a 21st century smartphone looks like.
The artist himself will not tell about this anymore - he died in 1982 at the age of 77.
The most sensible hypothesis, cited by the British newspaper The Daily Mail with reference to the Motherboard portal, is that the Indian is not holding a smartphone, but a mirror. The plot of the picture refers to the events of more than 400 years ago. Pocket mirrors were then fashionable and rare gizmos. The indigenous people of the American continent, as we know from textbooks, were very greedy for such subjects. And also on glass beads. Although they are not in the picture.
Promotional video:
It is not excluded that William Pynchon came to the Indians to help out his compatriots who were immigrants - the tied up and the one in the stocks. He offered to exchange - a mirror for people. Judging by the enthusiastic gaze of the Indian who saw his reflection, the deal is likely to take place.
Or did the Indian stare at the smartphone?
Another 17th century smartphone
And in more ancient paintings there are gadgets similar to modern ones. One of them is depicted, for example, in a painting by Pieter De Hooch. Read more about this. The head of Apple spotted the iPhone in a painting of the 17th century.
It looks like smartphones were quite common in the 17th century
VLADIMIR LAGOVSKY