Mysterious Portrait: The Face Found on the Barroom Floor

Imagine walking into a bar and discovering an entire painting, crafted with exquisite care, located nowhere else but on the floor. This is precisely what you’ll find in the Teller House bar, situated in Central City, Colorado. Most patrons are taken aback by the beautiful artistry that greets them beneath their feet - The Face on the Barroom Floor.

Origins of the Artwork

This unique piece of art is said to have materialized overnight in 1936 when an unknown artist decided to create it. The subject of this artwork isn’t known for sure, but various theories suggest that it could either be Dante Rossetti’s lover or Walter DeMar’s wife.

Herndon Davis: The Artist Behind the Masterpiece

According to sensational local lore, Herndon Davis, a newspaperman-turned-artist, was hired to do some paintings throughout the Central City casino district during its revival period in 1936. He painted several murals depicting historical events at various buildings throughout town and decided to give something unique to Teller House.

One night, after having too much alcohol, he allegedly got into an argument with Anne Evans, a pivotal character in restoring Central City who initially insisted on having Davis’ works throughout town. Enraged at her belittling comments about his ability or lack thereof, Davis stumbled down into the Teller House bar and made a defiant statement - he used his paints to produce what would become one of his most famous pieces directly onto the floorboards.

The Morning After

The next morning, he had no memory of creating it but was amazed by what he’d done. Despite initial outrage over desecrating property like this, people quickly noted how captivatingly beautiful it was and decided not just to leave it there but to preserve it steadfastly.

Preservation and Legacy

This fact remains relatively obscure, perhaps due to its location on a bar’s floor, lack of definitive origin story, and little to no promotion. Nevertheless, the unusual artwork still exists today as a testament not just to a night of too much alcohol but also to the adage, ‘Art can be found in most unusual places.’

The Face on the Barroom Floor continues to intrigue visitors who stumble upon this hidden gem while enjoying their time at Teller House. It reminds us that sometimes art emerges from unexpected circumstances and locations, adding layers of history and mystery to its existence.