The mysterious sketch
The story revolves around a mysterious drawing that appears on the walls of an old castle, sparking curiosity and fear among the inhabitants. As the drawing changes and evolves, it becomes clear that it holds a dark and sinister significance, connected to a tragedy that occurred in the past. The narrative explores themes of guilt, redemption, and the power of art to uncover hidden truths.
By Erckmann-Chatrian · First published 1865 · Genre: Gothic Fiction, Psychological Thriller, Historical Fiction · 3 chapters · 6,176 words
First lines
Opposite the Saint Sebaldus Chapel in Nuremberg rises up a little inn, tall and narrow, with a jagged gable, dusty windows and a plaster cast of Our Lady on top of its roof. It was here that I spent the unhappiest days of my life. I had gone to Nuremberg to study the old German masters, but, due to a lack of liquidity, I had to paint portraits.and what portraits they were! Fat purveyors of tittle-tattle with a cat on their knees, aldermen in wigs, burgomasters wearing a three-cornered hat and the whole thing set off by luminous ochre and cinnabar by the bucketful.
From portraits I descended to sketches and from sketches to outlines.
What this Textopian page supports
The mysterious sketch is listed on Textopian as a novel by Erckmann-Chatrian, dated 1865 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Novel
- Author: Erckmann-Chatrian
- Date: 1865 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Gothic Fiction, Psychological Thriller, Historical Fiction, Drama, Mystery
- Length: 6,176 words
- Structure: 3 chapters, 187 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for The mysterious sketch by Erckmann-Chatrian
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
- Readability and classroom-planning context
- Passage-specific claims should cite the exact /read/ URL for the relevant chapter or paragraph
Discussion starters
- What should a reader notice first when entering The mysterious sketch?
- How does this novel by Erckmann-Chatrian fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Gothic Fiction first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
- Portents by Egerton Castle
- Alice Book Vii by Edward Bulwer Lytton
- Alice Book Vi by Edward Bulwer Lytton
- By The Waters Of Paradise by F. Marion Crawford
- Tangled Tales by Egerton Castle
- In The Court Of The Dragon by Robert W. Chambers
Genres
- Gothic Fiction — The story features dark themes, a sense of foreboding, and elements of horror, particularly in the depiction of the murder scene and the protagonist's psychological turmoil.
- Psychological Thriller — The narrative explores the protagonist's mental state, including despair, suicidal thoughts, and the tension surrounding his interactions with other characters.
- Historical Fiction — Set in Nuremberg, the story reflects the historical context of the time, including societal norms and the art scene of the period.
- Drama — The plot revolves around personal struggles, conflicts with authority, and the emotional depth of the characters, particularly the artist's plight.
Tags
Mystery · Sketch · Art · Supernatural · Fantasy · Gothic · Romance · Suspense · Thriller · Horror · Occult · Paranormal