A PORTRIAT OF GURDJIEFF

Some years ago when I read some of the various books on Gurdjieff and especially that of OUSPENSKY, I also came across a 'portrait' or photograph of Gurdjieff that I will now discuss. The first reference to this photo in Ouspensky's IN SEARCH OF THE MIRACULOUS in which he mentions seeing this portrait that some years afterwards I was able to see in another book by another author. In the edition of ISOFTM on page 341, O writes, and I quote,"there was an interesting portrait of G" and goes on to say, "G's portrait determined for me .....what his profession was at the time." This revelation by O about G intrigued me and I immediately jumped to two conclusions, that is, assumptions that might have 'undoubted accuracy': one, he was a 'pimp' or procurer or 'white slaver' or some other related activity of the time; two, he was a 'priest' or in the seminary,etc. In other works, the photo is displayed as that of 'hypnotist' or possible 'healer' or whatever, either that of a 'charlatan' or 'mountebank' since the pose is sort of "Napoleonic' in that G has his right hand inside his jacket and over his heart(center). His feet are in a sort 'military' stance.