Danielle Cartwright has recently inherited a portrait from the estate of her grandmother’s brother. Cartwright was not close and thought it rather odd to be remembered by the deceased. The portrait is of a nondescript man and is set in a large, ornate frame. It is dated nearly 70 years ago, but there is no author’s signature. While the painting is no Rembrandt, it is not a bad work of art either.
Pleased with the picture, Cartwright hangs it in an out of the way place in her home. As the days pass, however, she begins to feel uncomfortable and gets the impression that the painting is watching her. As the days pass, this feeling becomes more and more oppressive; the feeling remains even when she is not in the same room at the painting.
Finally, one night, there is a crash in the room where the picture is hanging. Rushing into the room, Cartwright finds the painting undamaged and lying on the floor. The screw holding the hanging wire to the back of the painting has come undone, causing the heavy painting to fall. Cartwright is now convinced that there is something unusual about the painting.
Preliminary research concerning her deceased relative reveals little that might be construed as unusual or occult in nature. However, Cartwright discovers that she was not specifically listed in the inheritance. Instead, its original inheritor passed it off to another family member after only a few days, who then passed it to another, until the painting came to her. The other family members cannot give a clear reason for passing the painting on, other than they did not like it.
Possibilities
1 There is nothing wrong with the painting. The portrait’s eyes have been superbly rendered, and the rest is Cartwright’s imagination. Unfortunately, she is now obsessed with the painting and refuses to believe that it is normal.
2 During Pickman’s early years he was forced to paint over finished works when there was not enough money to purchase more canvas. The portrait is one which was commissioned by Danielle Cartwright’s great-great-great uncle during Pickman’s early period. While the present portrait has no unique qualities of its own, what lies beneath is an original, and truly horrifying, Pickman masterpiece.
Careful examination of the portrait reveals a painting beneath it, and careful restoration reveals the original in its full, cruel and grisly glory.
3 The painting is similar to the portrait in Oscar Wilde’s ‘The Portrait of Dorian Gray,’ and absorbs any physical damage done to the owner of the painting. As weeks progress, the portrait slowly changes to take on the likeness of the new owner. Once this is completed (in about a year’s time), Cartwright realizes the painting’s true nature. Old age and any damage is reflected in the painting, while Cartwright remains unharmed. The portrait displays injuries very graphically - and seeing it slowly causes Cartwright to lose grip on her sanity. Destroying the portrait returns all damage to Cartwright, probably killing her.
© Bill Dietze
Pleased with the picture, Cartwright hangs it in an out of the way place in her home. As the days pass, however, she begins to feel uncomfortable and gets the impression that the painting is watching her. As the days pass, this feeling becomes more and more oppressive; the feeling remains even when she is not in the same room at the painting.
Finally, one night, there is a crash in the room where the picture is hanging. Rushing into the room, Cartwright finds the painting undamaged and lying on the floor. The screw holding the hanging wire to the back of the painting has come undone, causing the heavy painting to fall. Cartwright is now convinced that there is something unusual about the painting.
Preliminary research concerning her deceased relative reveals little that might be construed as unusual or occult in nature. However, Cartwright discovers that she was not specifically listed in the inheritance. Instead, its original inheritor passed it off to another family member after only a few days, who then passed it to another, until the painting came to her. The other family members cannot give a clear reason for passing the painting on, other than they did not like it.
Possibilities
1 There is nothing wrong with the painting. The portrait’s eyes have been superbly rendered, and the rest is Cartwright’s imagination. Unfortunately, she is now obsessed with the painting and refuses to believe that it is normal.
2 During Pickman’s early years he was forced to paint over finished works when there was not enough money to purchase more canvas. The portrait is one which was commissioned by Danielle Cartwright’s great-great-great uncle during Pickman’s early period. While the present portrait has no unique qualities of its own, what lies beneath is an original, and truly horrifying, Pickman masterpiece.
Careful examination of the portrait reveals a painting beneath it, and careful restoration reveals the original in its full, cruel and grisly glory.
3 The painting is similar to the portrait in Oscar Wilde’s ‘The Portrait of Dorian Gray,’ and absorbs any physical damage done to the owner of the painting. As weeks progress, the portrait slowly changes to take on the likeness of the new owner. Once this is completed (in about a year’s time), Cartwright realizes the painting’s true nature. Old age and any damage is reflected in the painting, while Cartwright remains unharmed. The portrait displays injuries very graphically - and seeing it slowly causes Cartwright to lose grip on her sanity. Destroying the portrait returns all damage to Cartwright, probably killing her.
© Bill Dietze
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