Showing results for "Portraits" in Anthologies

This collection of two classics by the great Russian writer Nikolay Gogol (1809-1852) includes two listener favorites. The first is his farcical story "Diary of a Madman", one of the master's most anthologized works. The second is his "The Portrait" which whimsically interweaves fiction with reality.

A traveler takes refuge in a château where he finds he is surrounded by fine paintings. Unable to sleep he takes refuge in a book. He moves the candelabrum to shed better light upon the book, but when he does so he discovers in the corner of the room and amazingly lifelike painting of a young woman. It is so real, and he is first so startled that he must close his eyes to gather his wits. After contemplating this painting for nearly an hour he discovers a catalog that describes the painting.

The Oval Portrait is a short horror story written by Edgar Allan Poe and first published in 1842. Our protagonist takes refuge in an abandoned castle and discovers a room with a series of paintings accompanied by a small book describing them. His attention is attracted by an oval portrait depicting a young woman of rare beauty.