Where There Is A Worm….

So the other day we explored the miraculous world of maquettes — paintings created for potential posters. I figured that I might as well stick with this trend and showcase another painted wonder in our upcoming November 13 auction.

No, that’s not foreskin or some bizarre snake-shedding action, it’s a worm. A silkworm. And apparently Cappiello meant for it to advertise a silk company (please note the ‘rainbow’ of fabric reams behind it).

Now, unlike Tuesday’s Bal de Barbus maquette, this original artwork never made it to the printing press. Not that I can really blame the company for putting the kabash on the design — who ever sees a squirmy little worm writhing on a leaf and thinks “wow, I totally feel the urge to buy silk right now. I want to cover my body in whatever is being secreted by that worm”?

It sort of ranks up there with gross/unfortunate/inappropriate associations between luxury items and their less-than-savory origins. I mean, Tiffany’s didn’t show ads before screenings of Blood Diamond, now did they? And rarely do I see calf-skin gloves that come with cute little pictures of baby cows on the box.

Then again, tequila seems to have really profited from the worm-as-mascot sub-genre in advertising…..but, honestly, ever since that scene in Poltergeist 2, I can’t look at one without worrying if it’s going to posses my body and eat my unborn children.

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