MORTAL WOUND
Mentor Huebner (c) 1957
Oil on Masonite 30" X 24"

MORTAL WOUND

BY

Whenever Mentor decided to paint a location close to home, I was thrilled. It meant when the light faded and the painting was completed, he wouldn't have to drive two hours to get home, and could make it in about twenty minutes. This was certainly true when he painted this red house in Bunker Hill.

At the time Mentor painted it, Bunker Hill, as we knew it, was being destroyed and dynamically converted into very expensive studio apartments, art lofts, small offices and smart restaurants. All very 21st Century. But once, long ago, very early in the 20th Century, it had been known for its romantic architecture.

This house, even as it was being struck down, retained its beauty. A little like the aging actress in “Sunset Boulevard”. The house, like Gloria Swanson, didn't seem to get the message but nevertheless went down gracefully. I wonder if Mentor was the painting’s William Holden or its Billy Wilder. I kind of go with Holden. .

As a good wife, I never interfered with Mentor’s title choices. At the most, once-in-a-while I’d groan. But this painting created a bit of a conflict. Not much. Just a little bit. Mentor felt the title, "Mortal Wound" was appropriate. He was probably right. I’m sure his title is correct, telling it more like it really was. But back then I saw it in a slightly different light. To me it showed an intensity similar to falling into love. To me the house looked like a passionate entity whose heart was being pummeled by Cupid. The kind of strike that makes your knees buckle.

But I guess it all depends upon how one views falling in love. Obviously, Mentor preferred the idea of a Mortal Wound.

Nevertheless, whatever it should or should not have been called, Mentor gave me this painting on Valentine's Day. "Here Honey, it's yours."

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12 Paintings 12 Intimate Stories

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"MENTOR" Self Portrait Mentor Huebner (c) 1963 Oil on Masonite 30" X 24"	"MOJAVE GOLD" Mentor Huebner (c) 1953 Oil on Masonite 24" X 30"	" A PALACE OF FUN" Mentor Huebner (c) 1955 Oil on Masonite 24" X 30"
"THE BISTRO" Mentor Huebner (c) 1962 Oil on Painter's Board 22" X 26"	"SEXI BEACH BAR" Mentor Huebner (c) 1962 Oil on European Painter's Board 22" X 26"	"SAINT MARKS IN VENICE" Mentor Huebner (c) 1962 Oil on European Painter's Board 22" X 26"
"THE GRAND CANAL IN VENICE" Mentor Huebner (c) 1958 Oil on Masonite 24" X 30"	"THE FOREIGNER" Mentor Huebner (c) 1969 Oil on Masonite 24" X 30"	"HENRY FORD BRIDGE" Mentor Huebner (c) 1963 Oil on Masonite 24" X 30"
"MORTAL WOUND" Mentor Huebner (c) 1957 Oil on Masonite 24" X 30"	"BOURBON STREET" Mentor Huebner (c) 1953 Oil on Masonite 22" X 26"	"CALIFORNIA GOLD" Mentor Huebner (c) 1959 Oil on Masonite 30" X 24"