Art Friday: Jeremy Lipking

Artist: Jeremy Lipking

Today is Friday the 13th and for some people this day is very problematic as they are superstitious of the number 13. I thought I would find out why as to me it all seems rather silly!! This of course, has nothing to do with today's artist who does great portraits that I do hope you enjoy!

* Very little is known about the origins of the day's notoriety. Some historians believe that the superstitions surrounding it arose in the late 19th century. The first documented mention of the day can be found in a biography of Italian composer Gioachino Rossini, who died on a Friday 13th. A 1907 book, Friday the Thirteenth, by American businessman Thomas Lawson may have further perpetuated the superstition.

* The fear of Friday the 13th is also called "friggatriskaidekaphobia" or "paraskevidekatriaphobia". I am not even going to try and pronounce these words, too tricky for me!! It affects many people who really don’t like this day!

* There cannot be more than three Friday the 13ths in any given calendar year. The longest one can go without seeing a Friday the 13th is 14 months. Three Friday the 13ths can occur in a leap year as well. If January 1 of a leap year falls on a Sunday, the months of January, April and July will each have a Friday the 13th.

* For a month to have a Friday the 13th, the month must begin on a Sunday. I bet  you didn't know that!!

* There is very little evidence to show that Friday the 13th is indeed an unlucky day. Many studies have shown that Friday the 13th has little or no effect on events like accidents, hospital visits and natural disasters.

* Since 1995, Finland has dedicated one Friday the 13th in a year to observe National Accident Day. The day aims to raise awareness about safety – on the roads, at home and at the workplace.

Of course I didn't know any of this before I started so many thanks to this website for the informative information (Source)

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