Hey everyone,
Welcome to another installment of Harry Potter Theory.
Today we’re going to be discussing the 4 founders of Hogwarts- the group of 10th century
witches and wizards responsible for creating the finest school of witchcraft and wizardry
the world has ever seen.
These witches / wizards were Godric Gryffindor, Salazar Slytherin, Rowena Ravenclaw, and Helga
Hufflepuff.
Specifically, we’re going to be tackling the question of WHY these 4 founders weren’t
immortalized in some way.
The primary purpose of wizarding portraits in the Wizarding World is to preserve the
memory of a person long after they have passed away.
This ensures that their knowledge and wisdom can be passed down to future generations.
But, unlike muggle portraits or photographs, which merely capture a still image, wizarding
portraits can be animated to capture the essence of a person’s personality.
Often, portraits are enchanted to mimic the behaviour and mannerisms of the portrait’s
subject.
But there are many different types of portraits and animated images in the wizarding world,
so before we move forward any further I need to quickly summarize each type.
This will allow us to decide WHICH type would have fit the founders best.
Types of Magical Imagery
Moving Photographs are a type of magical photograph that appear to come to life and show a brief
snippet of motion.
Unlike Muggle photographs, which are static and unchanging, moving photographs are enchanted
to display a movement or action that’s then often repeated over and over again in a loop.
This type of photograph can be found throughout the wizarding world, including in the homes
of wizarding families, the offices of the Daily Prophet, and even in Hogwarts School
of Witchcraft and Wizardry.
They are often used as a means of communication or as a way to capture and remember important
events or moments in time.
One of the most famous examples of moving photographs in the Harry Potter series is
the Daily Prophet, which features moving photographs of the news stories and events it covers.
These photographs often add an extra layer of depth and detail to the stories they depict,
as they show the actions and expressions of the people involved in the events.
This type of magical imagery is most similar to what we have in the muggle world, and is
in no way interactive or ‘lively’.
Regular Portraits
The bulk of the portraits in Harry Potter are painted by witch or wizard artists who
have used enchantments in their paint to enable their subjects to be able to move and interact
with the living.
This style of portrait accounts for most of the portraits that hang throughout Hogwarts’
castle.
It’s important to note, however, that most of the portraits hanging around the school
are what J.K.
Rowling has referred to as “two-dimensional” – meaning they can interact with the living
but only in a very limited way.
Regardless, these portraits still have a number of abilities including..
-The ability to move from frame to frame- even frames that belong to another subject
-Granting access to secret passageways &
-Holding surface level conversations
These interactions provide them with the opportunity to make use of the phrases and mannerisms
that they were known for while alive.
However, they cannot offer quality advice or contribute to in-depth conversations.
This brings us to our next level of portrait…
Headmasters Portraits
Headmasters Portraits are far and above the most advanced form of magical imagery.
While at first glance they may appear to resemble the aforementioned portraits, the difference
is that headmaster’s portraits are much more intelligent- able to engage in far more
complex conversations and encounters.
Essentially, these portraits are capable of complex thought and critical thinking- which
makes them appear much more ‘lifelike’.
According to JK Rowling, the type of portrait typically corresponds to the power and abilities
of the witch or wizard who is featured in the painting.
This suggests that the more powerful a witch or wizard was in life, the more life-like
their portrait stands to be.
This would explain why Dumbledore’s headmaster portrait is so capable of in-depth conversation,
advising Severus from his frame well after his death.
Dumbledore was one of the most powerful wizards to have ever lived, so it stands to reason
that his portrait would have been one of the most ‘sentient’.
But there is actually MORE to it than that.
As it turns out, headmaster’s portraits are painted WELL before their deaths, kept
away in hidden locations where only their living counterparts are able to interact with
them.
Subjects would then visit their paintings as often as possible, imparting memories and
wisdom onto them – basically, teaching the paintings how to be them.
Through this process, they are able to become very good representations of these witches
and wizards.
However, it is also important to remember that they cannot grow or learn from future
interactions or events in the same way that someone like a ghost could.
Rather, the headteacher portraits are more like a sentient memoir of each professor,
able to respond and provide advice to people based on the memories and wisdom imparted
on to them before the real witch or wizard died.
Hogwarts headmasters are an integral part of Hogwarts history, and so it makes sense
that their portraits would be immortalized in this very special way.
However, I would argue that the Hogwarts FOUNDERS are an even more important part of the school’s
history- so, the question remains: why didn’t THEY get portraits?
Why weren’t THEY immortalized?
I think the founders portraits would fit just perfectly at the entrance to each common room-
or perhaps even in a row overlooking the great hall.
It also occurred to me that the portraits of the founders could potentially aid in the
sorting ceremony.
I’ve got a few theories.
They didn’t WANT portraits / Didn’t bother
It’s entirely possible that, even though they deserved them, the founders of Hogwarts
simply didn’t want their portraits to be displayed.
This could have been for any number of reasons, though I suspect that it could be linked with
concerns pertaining to how their legacy may be portrayed by future generations.
It’s also possible that The founders may have had a disagreement or a falling out before
they died, resulting in them not wanting their portraits to be displayed together.
It’s also just possible that they simply didn’t bother making portraits because they
had other things to do.
These four witches and wizards were focused on establishing the groundwork for the finest
institution of witchcraft and wizardry in the world, so I’m sure that they had more
than enough on their plates already.
They Were Too Humble
This one sort of ties in to the last point, and it explores the idea that the Founders
shied away from portraits due to humbleness.
Their names were already on the four Hogwarts houses, so it’s entirely possible that the
founders may have viewed portraits as a step too far.
Perhaps they avoided them as to not appear egotistical or self-absorbed.
Additionally, I suspect that they may have also been aware of the fact that if their
portraits were hanging in the halls then their presence may have overshadowed the current
headmistress or headmaster.
They Exist in a Hidden Location
It’s entirely possible that the Founders portraits DO actually exist, they’re just
hidden off in some secret compartment within the school.
Hogwarts is riddled with secret rooms and chambers, so to me this idea is not too far-fetched.
They Didn’t have the Knowledge
Another possibility is that the founders of Hogwarts did not have the same level of magical
knowledge as later generations and were unable to create their own portraits.
Sure, they were incredibly powerful, but it’s entirely possible that the creation of magical
portraits is a more recent development.
They Were Destroyed / Lost
It’s entirely possible that at one time the founders DID in fact have their own portraits,
but that over the course of time these portraits became damaged or lost.
Hogwarts has been around for over a thousand years which presents an awful lot of opportunities
for things to go missing / get damaged.
Dark Intent
Another reason that the Founders may have opted NOT to have portraits is that they may
have been concerned about the potential for their portraits to be used for dark magic.
In the Wizarding World, portraits can sometimes have a life of their own and can be manipulated
by others.
Perhaps the founders did not want to risk their portraits being used for nefarious purposes
and as a result, chose not to create them.
And that’s it for this video!
Do you want more videos covering the Hogwarts portraits?
Something else?
Do you agree with my theories?
Leave a comment down below
Until next time
Remember
It does not do to dwell on dreams and forget to live