Pickman's Model by H.P. Lovecraft
The story revolves around a mysterious and disturbing painting titled "Pickman's Model" that depicts grotesque and supernatural creatures. The narrator, an art student, becomes fascinated with the work but soon discovers its dark origins and the artist's true intentions. As he delves deeper into the mystery, he uncovers a sinister plot involving ancient deities and human sacrifices.
By H.P. Lovecraft · First published 1927 · Genre: Horror, Weird Fiction, Gothic Fiction · 6,213 words
First lines
You needn't think I'm crazy, Eliot-plenty of others have queerer prejudices than this. Why don't you laugh at Oliver's grandfather, who won't ride in a motor? If I don't like that damned subway, it's my own business; and we got here more quickly anyhow in the taxi. We'd have had to walk up the hill from Park Street if we'd taken the car.
I know I'm more nervous than I was when you saw me last year, but you don't need to hold a clinic over it. There's plenty of reason, God knows, and I fancy I'm lucky to be sane at all. Why the third degree? You didn't use to be so inquisitive.
What this Textopian page supports
Pickman's Model is listed on Textopian as a short story by H.P. Lovecraft, dated 1927 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Short story
- Author: H.P. Lovecraft
- Date: 1927 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Horror, Weird Fiction, Gothic Fiction, Fantasy, Psychological Thriller
- Length: 6,213 words
- Structure: 1 section, 46 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for Pickman's Model by H.P. Lovecraft
- 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 Pickman's Model?
- How does this short story by H.P. Lovecraft fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Horror first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
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Genres
- Horror — The narrative centers on themes of fear, the grotesque, and the supernatural, embodying classic horror elements through the depiction of monstrous beings and the psychological terror they invoke.
- Weird Fiction — The story blends elements of the bizarre and the uncanny, exploring the boundaries of reality and the unknown, characteristic of the weird fiction genre.
- Gothic Fiction — The setting and atmosphere evoke traditional Gothic elements, including dark, decaying locations and themes of madness and the supernatural.
- Fantasy — The narrative includes fantastical elements, particularly in the portrayal of otherworldly creatures and the exploration of alternate realities.
Tags
Horror · Short Story · Supernatural Fiction · Gothic Fiction · Cthulhu Mythos · Weird Fiction · Atmospheric Horror · Psychological Horror · Sanity-Blurring · Cosmic Horror · Existential Horror · Small-Town America