Peering through the cut out eyes of a portrait, usually by the villain, spying on unsuspecting innocents. I've seen it so many times, in film after film. Off the top of my head, the first example I could think of was from "Carry on Screaming" 1966. In terms of the display/object, to see the characters left in a room, examinig objects, before coming upon the large painting of a nude woman, and while waiting on their unmet hosts, speculating that it represented their hostess (while ignoring that the painted figure has four arms). Not only does the painting possibly represent the lady of the house, it actually has her eyes peering at them. Not realising this, they are still left with the uncanny sensation that this portrait is more "real" than a painting should be.
Portraits that seem to look back are a cliche in films and television plots. "Portrait Painting Peephole"
The usually un-seeing eyes of the portrait, are brought alive. Are not all artworks, especially those that incorporate representions of eyes, the enablers of sight, allowing the oberver to view while being unseen ? . .
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