Edgar Allan Poe’s second shortest short story is “The Oval Portrait”. This story is a brief yet profound tale that explores themes of art, obsession, and the tragic consequences of neglecting reality for the sake of an ideal.
In “The Oval Portrait”, Poe tells the story of a wounded man who takes refuge in a chateau. There, he becomes fascinated by a portrait of a young woman. As he reads about the painting, he learns that the artist was so obsessed with capturing his wife’s beauty that he neglected her well-being. Tragically, as the portrait was completed, the wife died, having given her life to the artwork.
This story is often interpreted as a commentary on the dangers of artistic obsession and the fine line between reality and illusion. Despite its brevity, “The Oval Portrait” leaves a lasting impression on readers, showcasing Poe’s mastery of the short story form.