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"The Oval Portrait" is a short storyline by Edgar Allan Poe relating to the disturbing circumstances adjoining a portrait in a chateau. It is one of his shortest stories, filling only two internet pages in its first publication in 1842.
Plot synopsis:
The tale commences with an wounded narrator (the storyplot offers no more explanation of his / her impairment) seeking refuge within an left behind mansion in the Apennines. The narrator spends his / her time admiring the paintings that enhance the strangely molded room and perusing a volume, found upon a cushion, that details them.
Upon moving the candle nearer to the publication, the narrator immediately discovers a before-unnoticed painting depicting the head and shoulder blades of a young young lady. The picture inexplicably enthralls the narrator "for an hour perhaps". After constant reflection, she or he realizes that the painting's "absolute life-likeliness" of appearance is the captivating feature. The narrator eagerly consults the publication for a conclusion of the picture. The rest of the storyplot henceforth is a offer from this publication - a story within a story.
The publication details a tragic storyline involving a young maiden of "the rarest beauty". She treasured and wedded an eccentric painter who cared more about his work than other things in the world, including his wife. The painter eventually asked his wife to take a seat for him, and she obediently consented, resting "meekly for many weeks" in his turret chamber. The painter worked so diligently at his process that he didn't identify his wife's fading health, as she, being truly a loving wife, regularly "smiled on and still on, uncomplainingly". As the painter neared the finish of his work, he let no-one enter the turret chamber and almost never took his eyes off of the canvas, even to view his wife. After "many weeks had exceeded," he finally done his work. As he appeared on the completed image, however, he felt appalled, as he exclaimed, "That is indeed Life itself!" Thereafter, he switched suddenly to respect his bride-to-be and found out that she experienced died.
