Portrait-Person

[corinthum]

No: HPFGUIDX 84496

Catlady wrote:

> In my opinion, the magical portrait is a NEW PERSON who began as 
> a copy of the model, with the personality traits and personal 
> memories you mentioned, but after that the portrait has its own life
> experiences, no longer linked to the life experiences of the model. 

And Paula replied:

> I just can't see it this way.  I agree that the portrait would have 
its own life experiences, but they would have to be based on and 
added to the person's (models) memories, outlook, and mentality. I'd 
always imagined that this is why one portrait would be chosen over 
another to carry out a specific mission,  as in real life.  The 
portrait retains the personality, traits, and experiences of the 
person.  Yes, the portraits experiences must be different from the 
model because the model is no longer in this world.  But the portrait 
carries on as the person would have. <<

I think the portrait carries on as the person would have if the 
person were to have the same experiences as the portrait-person.  It 
is sort of like starting a parallel dimension for that person.  Both 
the portrait-person and the original person begin exactly the same, 
with the same memories, outlook, and mentality, as Paula stated.  
However, from that point on, the experiences of the two are going to 
be at least slightly different.  It seems illogical to expect the two 
to develop and learn in exactly the same manner.  If I were to move 
to a new place, get a new job, and be surrounded by new people 
tomorrow, I can guarantee I'd be different in a few years than if I 
were to stay here.  Maybe not in any extremely noticable way, but 
maybe so.  Same basis, same person, but different development.

  
Catlady:

> I suppose that the spell for a later portrait is somewhat different 
than the spell for a first portrait, ...I suppose that the creation 
of a later portrait updates the model's-memories...

Paula:

> Where is there any canon for this?  I can't recall any canon that 
specifically explains the process and/or spells that an artist used 
to paint a portrait.  That's why I think that the portrait is simply 
a vehicle for the departed to continue to function in this world.

My personal belief is that the original portrait-person's memories 
remain intact despite new paintings being created.  The new painting 
simply adds a new wing to the portrait-person's "home".  No canon to 
support this idea, of course, but then none to contradict it either.


Catlady:

> But I firmly believe there is no telepathic link between the
> portrait-person and model-person after the painting is completed. 
> Can I make an analogy of a xerox of a laser-printed document? The 
> two copies start out the same but go on to separate lives.
 
Paula:

> OK, there's something to this analogy.  But IMHO, the WW is much 
more complicated and sophisticated than photocopying.  Afterall, a 
portrait is a copy of one who was alive and functional in this 
world.  Printed matter was never alive or capable of function on its 
own.  It's just passively absorbed.

So it's a very complex photocopier.  :)  Besides, we've seen that 
printed matter IS capable of functioning on its own in the Wizarding 
World (Riddle's diary, the Marauder's Map).  When it comes to papers 
and pictures gaining conciousness, I don't think we should 
underestimate the possibilities.  

-Corinth