The Prophetic Pictures (From "Twice Told Tales")

Name: The Prophetic Pictures (From "Twice Told Tales")
Author: Nathaniel Hawthorne

A young engaged couple visits a renowned portraitist whose work appears to capture not only outward likeness but inner character and possible fate. The artist selects sitters whose faces suggest depth and renders them with concentrated, expressive looks that provoke admiration, suspicion, and unease among viewers. Encounters with venerable religious and civic images, alongside a half-finished commission, prompt reflection on the boundary between appearance and essence, the powers and perils of art to disclose hidden truth, and the unsettling idea that an image might foretell a life.

By Nathaniel Hawthorne

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American Literature Short Stories

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About the Author

Nathaniel Hawthorne

Nathaniel Hawthorne was an American novelist and short story writer, born in 1804 in Salem, Massachusetts. He is best known for his exploration of moral complexity and the human condition, often set against the backdrop of New England's Puritan heritage. His notable works include "The Scarlet Letter," which delves into themes of sin and redemption, and "The House of the Seven Gables," a tale of guilt and retribution. Hawthorne's writing is characterized by its rich symbolism and psychological depth, making significant contributions to American literature. His stories often reflect his fascination with the darker aspects of human nature and the consequences of isolation.