Graven Images: Classic Stories of Ghastly Paintings and Dreadful Effigies

Name: Graven Images: Classic Stories of Ghastly Paintings and Dreadful Effigies
Price: 24.95 USD
Availability: InStock
ISBN: 9781616465339

✍️ Oscar Wilde

Reader Score

4.6

(1 review)

$24.95

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📚 WHAT THE BOOK IS ABOUT

A curated anthology of twenty tales and one novella about haunted art and artists.

The volume examines the intersection of creativity and the macabre through a diverse roster of authors. It highlights how vital sparks in art can arise from dark sources. The text includes works by E. Nesbit, Shiel, and Wellman alongside the more famous names. Each story investigates the consequences of giving form to dread. The organization presents these narratives as distinct explorations of the genre's history. Readers find a mix of short stories and longer novellas that trace the evolution of supernatural art tropes.

Key Themes

haunted artists living portraits supernatural effigies

Literary Context

This 2022 release by Coachwhip Publications collects works from authors like Poe, Lovecraft, and Wilde. It bridges 19th-century Gothic traditions with early 20th-century horror. The anthology preserves the legacy of writers who explored the darker side of artistic creation.

Difficulty

●●● Challenging

Recommended For Fans Of

Edgar Allan Poe · H. P. Lovecraft · M. R. James · Nathaniel Hawthorne

🕯️

Supernatural

🏛 Coachwhip Publications 📅 2022 🌐 English 📔 Paperback ISBN: 9781616465339

📝 Description: Graven Images: Classic Stories of Ghastly Paintings and Dreadful Effigies

This collection gathers twenty tales and one novella centered on the supernatural power of art. The volume explores how artists breathe life into their creations through brushstrokes or chisel taps, often invoking a dark spark rather than noble beauty. It spans traditions from the Gothic to early modern horror, featuring writers like Nathaniel Hawthorne, Edgar Allan Poe, M. R. James, and H. P. Lovecraft. Readers will encounter specific stories such as The Oval Portrait by Poe and Pickman's Model by Lovecraft. The anthology also includes Schalken the Painter by Le Fanu and La Venus d'Ille by Merimee. Oscar Wilde contributes his novella The Picture of Dorian Gray, a work that qualifies him as a key figure in this genre. Other entries include The Mezzotint by James and The Room in the Tower by Benson. This book suits fans of classic horror and gothic fiction who appreciate tales of haunted artists and uncanny effigies. It may not appeal to those seeking contemporary thriller plots or non-fiction analysis. The collection offers a structured look at how different authors have treated the theme of living art across various periods. It provides a clear view of the literary lineage connecting these specific narratives.

💎 Our verdict on Graven Images: Classic Stories of Ghastly Paintings and Dreadful Effigies

“

🩸

Horror Reads editorial team

Horror desk

This anthology succeeds by gathering twenty tales and one novella that investigate the supernatural power of art with precision. It highlights how artists breathe life into creations through dark sparks, featuring heavyweights like Poe, Lovecraft, and Wilde alongside E. Nesbit and Shiel. The inclusion of 'The Oval Portrait' and 'Pickman's Model' anchors the volume in recognizable horror classics. The organization presents these narratives as distinct explorations, offering a clear view of literary lineage. While it may not suit readers wanting contemporary thrills, it excels at tracing the history of supernatural art tropes for those who appreciate gothic fiction and uncanny effigies.

✓ EDITOR'S REVIEW

📖 Why choose it

📖

Why this book is worth reading

Readers who appreciate the evolution of supernatural art tropes will find this collection a valuable resource for understanding how dread takes form in literature. It suits fans of classic horror and gothic fiction who enjoy tales of haunted artists and uncanny effigies. The anthology provides a structured look at how different authors have treated living art, highlighting vital sparks arising from dark sources rather than noble beauty. Those interested in the consequences of giving form to dread will appreciate this diverse roster. It offers a clear view of the genre's history without appealing to those seeking contemporary thriller plots or non-fiction analysis.

⭐ Reader reviews

The starting rating comes from the team Horror Reads —

Reader rating

4.6

Based on 1 reviews

Horror Reads editorial team

This anthology succeeds by gathering twenty tales and one novella that investigate the supernatural power of art with precision. It highlights how artists breathe life into creations through dark sparks, featuring heavyweights like Poe, Lovecraft, and Wilde alongside E. Nesbit and Shiel. The inclusion of 'The Oval Portrait' and 'Pickman's Model' anchors the volume in recognizable horror classics. The organization presents these narratives as distinct explorations, offering a clear view of literary lineage. While it may not suit readers wanting contemporary thrills, it excels at tracing the history of supernatural art tropes for those who appreciate gothic fiction and uncanny effigies.