Short Fiction · Chapter
The Mezzotint explained
Mr.
What happens
Mr. Williams, a museum curator, receives a mezzotint of a manor house from dealer Mr. Britnell. Initially unimpressed, he and his friend Professor Binks notice a small figure in the foreground. Later that night, Williams sees the figure has moved to the center of the lawn, crawling toward the house. He locks the picture away and plans to investigate further with his colleague Nisbet.
Themes in this chapter
Supernatural and the Uncanny
The mezzotint's figure inexplicably changes position, moving from the edge to the center of the lawn, defying natural explanation.
Antiquarianism and the Past
The story centers on an old mezzotint of a manor house, with Williams attempting to identify the depicted location through gazetteers.
Characters to notice
- Mr. Williams
The museum curator who receives the mysterious mezzotint and witnesses its changing figure.
- Dennistoun
Mentioned as the source of a similar story that influenced Mr. Williams.
- Nisbet
Williams' colleague, invited to breakfast to examine the picture.
Key passages
“It was a rather indifferent mezzotint, and an indifferent mezzotint is, perhaps, the worst form of engraving known.”
The mezzotint was of poor quality, and a bad mezzotint is arguably the worst kind of engraving.
Williams' initial dismissive assessment of the artwork.
“In the middle of the lawn in front of the unknown house there was a figure where no figure had been at five o'clock that afternoon.”
A figure now appeared in the center of the lawn, though none was there earlier that day.
The supernatural change Williams observes in the picture.