# The Mezzotint explained — Short Fiction

> Chapter companion for Short Fiction by M. R. James.

## 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.

## Character check-ins

### 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 lines

> 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._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_35_se/chapters/the-mezzotint
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_35_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_35_se/chapters