People baffled by 'time travel' painting that appears to show woman using iPhone
A 150-year-old old painting has sparked interest among art lovers, as its central figure appears to be engrossed in an iPhone.
The painting of a young woman strolling along a country path, seemingly fascinated by the alleged device, is part of The Expected One - a piece painted by Ferdinand George Waldmüller in the 1860s.
The oil painting portrays a man crouching in the shadows with a flower, while the lady walks towards him, completely captivated by what she's holding.
While this might seem like a typical scene from that era, contemporary observers have humorously suggested that the artwork is a product of time-travel, with the artist having gained knowledge of future technology.
However, those entertaining this theory may be disappointed to learn that experts have provided a more plausible explanation, according to the Mirror.
The painting first gained online popularity over eight years ago when it was displayed at the Neue Pinakothek Museum in Munich, Germany.
Back in 2017, some joked that the woman was snubbing the man because she was likely swiping on Tinder.
However, it was later revealed that the image actually depicts the woman deeply engrossed in her hymn book, her devotion to God surpassing any interest in the mortal man and his worldly desires.
This slightly disappointing revelation comes directly from the gallery and will undoubtedly surprise those who were convinced the painting showed proof of time travel.
In an interview with Motherboard, Peter Russell, the individual who initially observed the subject's resemblance to scrolling through Instagram, he noted that changing technologies have shaped modern takes on historic works of art.
Peter said: "What strikes me most is how much a change in technology has [changed] the interpretation of the painting, and in a way has leveraged its entire context."
He added: "The big change is that in 1850 or 1860, every single viewer would have identified the item that the girl is absorbed in as a hymnal or prayer book.
"Today, no one could fail to see the resemblance to the scene of a teenage girl absorbed in social media on their smartphone."
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