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The Highgate Pond Square Ghost glimpsed in the snow by John Gay
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The Highgate Pond Square Ghost glimpsed in the snow by John Gay
This 1970's image of Pond Square in the snow was taken by the celebrated photographer John Gay using time-lapse photography. Gay's feint legs in the foreground allude to the local legend that the ghost of Francis Bacon may be seen when it snows in Highgate Village. The celebrated philosopher died in 1626 at Arundel House after conducting the first recorded experiment in the use of freezing to preserve meat. During a snowy journey from London, Bacon was inspired to stuff a fowl with snow as a preservative. Unfortunately, in doing so, he caught a chill which then developed into a fatal case of pneumonia after retiring to a damp bed
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This print by the renowned photographer John Gay transports us to a snowy Pond Square in Highgate Village. Taken in the 1970s using time-lapse photography, Gay's masterful composition reveals an eerie glimpse of the legendary Highgate Pond Square Ghost. In this enigmatic image, Gay cleverly alludes to local folklore surrounding Francis Bacon, the celebrated philosopher who tragically met his demise in 1626. As we gaze upon the snow-covered scene, our eyes are drawn to Gay's faint legs in the foreground, symbolizing the ethereal presence of Bacon's ghost that is said to manifest when snow blankets Highgate Village. Bacon's connection with freezing and preservation adds another layer of intrigue to this haunting tale. It was at Arundel House where he conducted groundbreaking experiments on preserving meat using freezing techniques. During a fateful journey from London, inspired by his research, Bacon attempted to preserve a fowl by stuffing it with snow as a preservative. Tragically, this act led him down an ill-fated path as he caught a chill and later succumbed to pneumonia after retiring to a damp bed. Through John Gay's lens and expert storytelling ability, we are transported back in time and immersed in both history and legend. This mesmerizing photograph captures not only the beauty of Pond Square covered in pristine white snow but also invites us into a world where spirits may still roam among us when winter arrives in Highgate Village.
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