The Painter's Gallows
Once upon a time, nestled in a small town of Alsace, lived an ingenious painter named Remi. Remi, well-known through Alsace and adjoining towns, was adored for his mesmerizing and vibrant works of art, imbued with an enchanting realism that filled viewers with awe.
One day, a well-dressed man, Benedikt, entered Remi's workshop unannounced. He was carrying a heavy satchel and a radiant aura of authority. Benedikt, a wealthy nobleman from the neighbouring town, had heard about the brilliance of Remi and wanted him to create a unique masterpiece. The subject, Benedikt explained, was to be his beautiful daughter, Clarisse.
Remi agreed, not just because of the handsome amount promised, but because the thought of capturing Clarisse's elegance on his canvas captivated him. Days turned into nights, and the weeks into months, as Remi subtly captured Clarisse – her delicate features, expressive eyes, and shimmering golden hair against the serenity of their garden.
Throughout the process, Remi and Clarisse grew closer. Their interactions blossomed from mere formalities into laughter-filled sessions. It was an improbable affection growing between the noble figure Clarisse and the humble artist Remi. Yet, it was the purity and honesty of their bond that nurtured a burgeoning love.
Meanwhile, Benedikt, oblivious of this affection, was elated to see his daughter's flawless portrait. So impressed was he that he decided to host a grand gala at their sprawling mansion. Invites were sent to the high-borne, influential families of all neighbouring communities. The event was organized to unveil the portrait and to announce Clarisse's betrothal to a high-ranking noble from another town.
The day of the gala arrived, and Remi, although penniless, managed to present himself appropriately in rented attire. Affairs went smoothly until Benedikt pulled the velvet curtain from the portrait. The crowd gasped collectively, marveling at Remi's brilliant artwork. But it wasn't the art that fascinated them. It was the pain in Clarisse's eyes, which were depicted incredibly in the painting.
Instead of the radiance of betrothal, Clarisse's eyes held the sadness of love sacrificed at the altar of binding societal norms. The crowd looked from the portrait to the living Clarisse, and the resemblance was uncanny. A whisper of a scandal overtook the gathering.
The nobleman, feeling embarrassed, questioned Clarisse in private who confessed her love for Remi. Furious, Benedikt ordered his guards to seize Remi and put him in the gallows. Even as Remi was dragged away, he cried out to Clarisse, his love unwavering in the face of death. Pained but determined, Clarisse hatched a plan to save Remi.
That night, while the town was asleep, Clarisse, with few loyal servants, carried out a daring rescue. After a brief scuffle with the jail guards, they managed to free Remi. They fled the town and took voyage on a ship to the neighbouring kingdom where Benedikt's influence could not reach them.
With a sigh of relief, Remi and Clarisse disappeared into the horizon, their love a beacon against the stormy seas. The journey was arduous, but their burning passion lent them hope and resilience. Years later, they were married and forged a humble life balanced between Remi's art and their shared love.
Back in Alsace, the tale of their escape became the subject of a mysterious painting found pinned to the gallows - 'The Painter's Gallows' it was called. It perfectly captured an abandoned noose against a backdrop of a lonely ship sailing into the rising sun. The artist's identity remained unknown, but the townsfolk knew who had gifted them this masterpiece - their beloved painter, Remi.
Years passed. Benedikt departed the world hence, and Clarisse returned to her birth town, bringing along Remi's artwork and their tale of love. The memory of a scandal faded and was replaced by awe for Remi and Clarisse's love, immortalized in 'The Painter's Gallows', a symbol of their unfettered mayhem and an emblem of enduring love.