The portrait of a young girl has caused a stir on social media after she was twice brought back to a charity shop by two panicked customers, one of whom said “I never want to see that damn thing again” from his life.
“She’s back! Sold twice and returned twice! Are you brave enough?” wrote the charity shop Hastings Advice Representation Center on a Post-it note before showing the painting for the third time at its Saint Leonards-on-Sea facility, Southern Ireland, England, according to a post on X (Twitter) on Tuesday.
The image of the said painting has been viewed more than 8.8 million times on the social network, while many netizens have advised the charity shop to burn the painting as soon as possible.
According to the venue’s owner, Steve, the portrait of the unknown girl, whose eyes “follow you around the room,” was first bought by a lady along with other frames and paintings before being returned on its own two days later, he confided “The Telegraph” on.
“I have to get rid of it,” she would have started, before speaking of an “aura” around the painting, whose artist is also unknown, the British newspaper reported.
But when a second woman reportedly returned the painting after purchasing it, this time downright “terrified,” “trembling and distraught” and expressing “never want to see that damn thing again,” the owner would have added the note he continued to the Telegraph.
Aside from seeing the canvas’ popularity soar online on Tuesday, the woman reportedly returned to the store the next day – not without hesitation – to buy it again, believing it might one have a certain monetary value, said the owner.