The Portrait by Madison Cawein
The narrative unfolds in a quaint artist's studio in Nuremberg, where a mysterious portrait resides, its origins and creator shrouded in ambiguity. The speaker reflects on the painting's deteriorated state, suggesting it may be a work of Dürer, characterized by its noble beauty and piercing expression. Despite attempts at restoration, the portrait remains a blur, evoking a sense of lost vitality and unfulfilled potential. The speaker speculates about the portrait's subject, possibly a duchess admired from afar by the artist, who, consumed by his passion, ultimately perished in his quest to capture her likeness. The setting shifts to a narrow, gloomy street where the portrait lay neglected among other forgotten artworks, hinting at a rich history intertwined with the lives of its previous owners. The narrative then transitions to the speaker's ancestor, who valued the portrait highly, bringing it to Paris where it adorned a Gothic room filled with religious artifacts and a sense of reverence. The atmosphere is thick with history, evoking memories of a violent past, particularly a night of bloodshed during the St. Bartholomew's Day Massacre. As the scene unfolds, the tension escalates with the arrival of armed men searching for a Huguenot, who is found dead in a chair, his gaze fixed on the portrait. The painting, now imbued with a sinister presence, reflects the horror of the moment, its subject's hair described as a fiery thread around the victim's throat. The portrait becomes a symbol of both beauty and terror, encapsulating the tragic intersection of art, love, and violence. The work explores themes of obsession, the passage of time, and the haunting legacy of history, leaving the reader to ponder the true nature of the portrait and its impact on those who encounter it.
By Madison Cawein · First published 1909 · Genre: Poetry, Historical Fiction, Romanticism · 1,086 words
First lines
In some quaint Nurnberg _maler-atelier_ Uprummaged. When and where was never clear Nor yet how he obtained it. When, by whom 'Twas painted -- who shall say? itself a gloom Resisting inquisition. I opine It is a Duerer. Mark that touch, this line; Are they deniable? -- Distinguished grace Of the pure oval of the noble face Tarnished in color badly. Half in light Extend it so. Incline. The exquisite Expression leaps abruptly: piercing scorn; Imperial beauty; each, an icy thorn Of light, disdainful eyes and. well! no use! Effaced and but beheld! a sad abuse Of patience. -- Often, vaguely visible, The portrait fills each feature, making swell The heart with hope: avoiding face and hair Start out in living hues; astonished, "There! -- The picture lives! " your soul exults, when, lo! You hold a blur; an undetermined glow Dislimns a daub. -- "Restore? " -- Ah, I have tried Our best restorers, and it has defied.
What this Textopian page supports
The Portrait is listed on Textopian as a poem by Madison Cawein, dated 1909 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Poem
- Author: Madison Cawein
- Date: 1909 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Poetry, Historical Fiction, Romanticism, Gothic, Art Literature
- Length: 1,086 words
- Structure: 1 section, 5 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)
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- Work identity for The Portrait by Madison Cawein
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Discussion starters
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Genres
- Poetry — The work is written in verse, employing meter and rhyme, characteristic of poetry.
- Historical Fiction — The poem references historical elements, such as the St. Bartholomew's Day Massacre and the setting in Nuremberg, blending fact with narrative.
- Romanticism — Themes of unrequited love, beauty, and the emotional depth of the artist's experience align with Romantic ideals.
- Gothic — The poem contains elements of horror and the supernatural, particularly in the portrayal of the portrait and the atmosphere of dread.
Tags
Portrait · Literary Fiction · Psychological Insight · Character Study · Symbolism · Imagery · Poetic Prose · Inner Turmoil · Self-Discovery · Artistic Expression · Identity Crisis · Social Commentary