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Henri Fuseli
The Nightmare exhibited 1782
Oil on canvas, 1210 x 1473 x 89 mm
Lent by the Detroit Institute of Arts, Founders Society Purchase with funds from Mr and Mrs Bert L. Smokler and Mrs Lawrence A. Fleischman
The Nightmare exhibited 1782
Oil on canvas, 1210 x 1473 x 89 mm
Lent by the Detroit Institute of Arts, Founders Society Purchase with funds from Mr and Mrs Bert L. Smokler and Mrs Lawrence A. Fleischman
The Nightmare
scenario by Stacey Vanessa Ellis, age 16
Saskia slowly breathed out. Cursing herself quietly she wished she had never volunteered to close up the museum at night. In fact she wished she had never accepted the job at the museum at all. She had foolishly allowed herself to be seduced into accepting the job due to her love of the big city. Unfortunately she realised that standing around all day telling people about these pictures wasn't as glamorous as she thought it was. Walking up to the picture of the Gargoyle Scenario she made a face. Ever since she began working her she had been spooked by the picture. It wasn't that it was scary, it was just that she couldn't stand the idea of evil things lurking near you when you wear unaware. It didn't help that her boss Jonathon kept joking that she looked exactly like the women in the painting. Turning around to leave, she saw something move out of the corner of her eyes. Turning around she looked at the painting. The colors were running off the painting and Saskia's frightened wimpers were drowned out by the sound of the paint hitting the floor. She tried to move, but she was grounded to the spot her eyes glued to the image of the gargoyle who seemed to be beckoning her to the painting. Involuntarily she moved her hand towards the painting. Her eyes wide open as she touched it rough surface. Everything went black. Opening her eyes she saw the museum in front of her. Her face went white as she looked around and realised she was inside the painting. The gargoyle stood a few feet behind her. Moving slowly towards her he said 'Finally you have come back to me.' Saskia was paralysed. The gargoyle took her by the hand and said 'Your place is with me now, you'll pay for having the one thing I don't, freedom.' Saskia felt herself shake. Looking down at herself she realised she had become the women in the painting. Suddenly she understood. In a voice that wasn't her own she said 'I'm sorry I just wanted to see what it was like out their.' Taking the gargoyle's home they took their position.
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