Headmaster portraits

[Steve]

No: HPFGUIDX 159560

--- , Kimberly <luv2readhp at ...> wrote:
>
> >Tim: 
> >Good point,and even if Dumbledore is really dead, his
> > portrait is hanging in the Headmasters office to give
> > guidance and I'm sure there are portraits of him all
> > over the wizarding world that he will be able to 
> > travel between. ...
> 
> >I know, I'm reaching but.....  
> 
> 
> Kimberly here:
> After reading HBP, I initially thought/assumed we'd see
> Dumbledore as a portrait in the Headmaster's office. 
> Many references were made to "previous Headmasters" ...
> I'm wondering now though what causes someone to be a 
> portrait or not.  ...
> 
> Kimberly
>

bboyminn:

I think you are maybe looking to deeply into the problem
to actually see it. In the wizard world, just as in the
muggle world, portraits are created to honor a revered 
person. Dumbledore was a long time Headmaster, and held 
may other national and international offices. He is also
respected as the greatest wizard of the age. So certainly
Dumbledore is revered and honored, and would therefore
be further honored by one or more a portraits upon his 
death. 

I suspect ALL headmasters have a portrait somewhere at 
Hogwarts. That would seem pretty common if you enter any
private school; they likely have portraits of all the
headmasters for the entire history of that particular
school, and I don't see why Hogwarts would be any 
different. If they had distinguished careers before
or after Hogwarts, those institution where they worked may
also honor them.

I hadn't thought about it until just a few days ago, but
it is likely that Dumbledore has protraits in other 
locations. We know he was the head of the Wizengamot 
court. Plus he was senior representative to the 
International Confederation of Wizard. That might qualify
him with a portrait somewhere at the Ministry. That could
certainly come in handy.

So, I think any wizard of any social or political 
significants probably gets a public protrait somewhere. 
Other wizards may have private portraits, say a family 
portrait, etc....

The confusing part is, where do the portraits come from?
I suppose Dumbedore could have sat for his portraits many
years ago, and when he finally died, they were 
automatically placed in the various position that were
pre-planned. 

I'm convinced that the only way that Dumbledore lives on
is through his portrait, and while helpful, I think it
will be a very unsatisfying model of Dumbledore. It will
have all his character but little of his essense. Still
it will probably be helpful.

Just a few thoughts.
Steve/bboyminn