Introduction

The Crying Boy is a mass-produced print of a painting that has become the centerpiece of a notorious urban legend in the United Kingdom. Created by Italian painter Giovanni Bragolin, whose real name was Bruno Amadio, the image portrays a tearful young boy. This painting, part of a series, is often linked to tales of misfortune and cursed objects. The legend gained widespread attention in the 1980s, especially through tabloid media, and has since become ingrained in folklore and popular culture. According to the legend, homes with the Crying Boy painting are said to be susceptible to mysterious fires, which destroy everything except the painting itself. The eerie nature of this story has fascinated and frightened people for decades, making it one of the most enduring and infamous urban legends in British history.

Physical Attributes

The Crying Boy painting is a poignant depiction of sorrow, showing a young boy with tears on his face. Known for his emotive style, Bragolin’s works frequently feature children with melancholic expressions. During the 1950s and 1960s, prints of this painting spread widely across the UK, particularly in working-class homes, where they became a familiar sight. The paintings often feature muted colors, contributing to the somber mood of the subjects. Typically, the Crying Boy is portrayed with tear-streaked cheeks and sorrowful eyes, set against a simple or minimal background. These mass-produced prints, created by Italian artist Giovanni Bragolin under the pseudonym Bruno Amadio, were affordable and easily accessible.

First Sighting/Reporting

The Crying Boy urban legend gained widespread attention in September 1985 following a front-page story in The Sun, which reported on a series of unexplained house fires. In these incidents, copies of the painting reportedly survived while the surrounding homes were destroyed. One such case involved Ron and May Hall, whose house in Rotherham burned down, yet their framed Crying Boy remained untouched among the debris. Firefighters claimed to have witnessed similar occurrences across northern England, where the painting consistently avoided damage. The story, titled “Blazing Curse of the Crying Boy,” fueled public fear that the painting was cursed. The article sparked a mass panic, leading The Sun to organize a bonfire where readers were encouraged to destroy their copies of the painting.

Other Names

The Crying Boy is known by several other names, including “The Haunted Boy” and “The Cursed Boy,” which enhance its ominous reputation. In some versions of the legend, the child is referred to as Don Bonillo or Diablo, adding a darker layer to the tale. The painting has also been called “Gipsy Boy,” a name suggesting a connection to street children, potentially influenced by Romani folklore, though no direct link to the Romani people exists. Some interpretations of the story even include a backstory for the boy, portraying him as an orphan whose presence is thought to bring misfortune.

Modus Operandi

The Crying Boy legend centers around the belief that owning or displaying the painting invites disaster, particularly fires. Many anecdotal stories suggest that people who possessed the painting experienced a series of misfortunes, from property damage to personal tragedies. A recurring theme is that during fires, the Crying Boy remains unharmed while everything else is destroyed, fueling the superstition that those who own it are cursed. This phenomenon gained significant attention, resulting in widespread panic, with some owners even destroying their copies in an attempt to avoid bad luck.

On Halloween 1985, The Sun held a mass purification event, encouraging readers to send in their paintings for public burning, hoping to rid them of the curse. This event only deepened the legend’s grip on public imagination. The most common manifestation of the supposed curse is unexplained house fires, where the painting is the only object to survive intact. Some versions of the legend claim that the painting itself holds a malevolent spirit or curse that causes the fires, while others suggest that the fires are a result of heightened anxiety and psychological suggestion, leading to accidents or negligence.

Pop Culture References

The Crying Boy legend has become a fixture in popular culture, inspiring references in books, television shows, and online discussions. It has been prominently featured in documentaries and reality TV series focused on paranormal phenomena, as well as in supernatural-themed programs where its alleged curse is explored alongside other haunted objects.

In literature, the Crying Boy has appeared in stories that delve into themes of tragedy and the supernatural. Its legacy continues to inspire horror narratives, where artworks are portrayed as gateways to dark realms. The legend serves as a backdrop for fictional horrors, influencing works that explore the eerie and unsettling nature of cursed objects. The painting’s chilling reputation has solidified its place in supernatural fiction, inspiring a wide range of authors and filmmakers.

Current Status

The Crying Boy legend today exists in a blend of skepticism and belief. While media attention faded after the 1980s, the tale endures as a prominent subject in folklore studies and paranormal discussions. Urban legend websites continue to share personal accounts tied to the Crying Boy, fueling fascination with the story and its associations with cursed objects.

Skeptics and researchers have offered practical explanations, such as fire-retardant varnish on the prints, to debunk the myth of the painting’s survival in fires. However, many individuals still claim to have experienced inexplicable events related to the painting, ensuring its continued place in contemporary folklore. The Crying Boy remains available for purchase on online marketplaces, often with disclaimers about its alleged curse, keeping the legend alive in the digital era.

Though the painting itself has lost some of its former popularity, the Crying Boy legend still captivates and unnerves people worldwide. While no scientific evidence supports the existence of a curse, the story endures as a testament to the enduring power of urban legends and the deep-rooted fears they evoke.

Source

The Crying Boy – Wikipedia

Cursed Artworks: The Haunted Legend of the “Crying Boy” That Won’t Burn

The Curse of ‘The Crying Boy’ Painting – HubPages

The Sun Article: “Blazing Curse of the Crying Boy”

“A Crying Boy and a Curse – Haunt Heads” [2018-04-18].

“The Crying Boy: 9781912175086: James, Jane E.: Books” [2014-01-01].

“The Crying Boy Painting – Medium” [2023-10-31].