"A Portrait of Poe—Into the Maelstrom" by Pete Janes

A Portrait of Poe—Into the Maelstrom

Wall Art

Poster
Canvas Print
Photographic Print
Art Print
Framed Print
Metal Print

Home Decor

Throw Pillow

Bags

Tote Bag

Stationery

Greeting Card
Spiral Notebook
Hardcover Journal

Artist's Description

Pen and ink stippling with digital detailing in Gimp.

From A Descent into the Maelstrom by Edgar Allan Poe, 1841.
The edge of the whirl was represented by a broad belt of gleaming spray; but no particle of this slipped into the mouth of the terrific funnel, whose interior, as far as the eye could fathom it, was a smooth, shining, and jet-black wall of water, inclined to the horizon at an angle of some forty-five degrees, speeding dizzily round and round with a swaying and sweltering motion, and sending forth to the winds an appalling voice, half shriek, half roar, such as not even the mighty cataract of Niagara ever lifts up in its agony to Heaven.

I thought I would try to capture Poe somewhere between an incomprehensibly vast vortex of chaos and a more prosaic, Victorian world of decorative arts. The worlds are cancerous to each other, and only Poe was strong and insightful enough to attempt to bridge the gap.

An interesting side note here is that I was determined to avoid the standard props of a Poe portrait, namely the raven or the black cat. Nevertheless, the wallpaper pattern that I puzzled out ended up having very feline features. Funny how the brain works.

All Products Tags

edgar allan poe horror literature petejanes poe pointillism portrait stippling

Artwork Comments

Lynnette Shelley over 8 years ago

FANTASTIC!!!!
Pete Janes over 8 years ago

Very much appreciated Lynette! Boy is my hand tired!
Zombie Rust over 8 years ago

Great portrait Pete, it’s an excellent illustration!
Pete Janes over 8 years ago

Thanks Zombie! Next up: Lovecraft!
Trystan Mitchell over 8 years ago

Yes! Yes! Yes! Yes! Yes! Virgil would be jealous ;-))
Pete Janes over 8 years ago

Thanks for reminding me, Trystan—I meant to include a ref to Virgil in the notes section.
ROUBLE RUST over 8 years ago

Oh wow, this is great Pete!!!!! Excellent work and composition, I love the chaotic background. Weeelcome to challenge ;)
Pete Janes over 8 years ago

Thanks Rouble! This is the first piece I’ve done specifically for a challenge . . . maybe I should try that exercise again!
Anita Inverarity over 8 years ago

Magnificent !!! I love your Poe and the whole concept of the piece-amazing work my friend :))))) xx
Pete Janes over 8 years ago

Thanks Anita! It was your Poe that really lit the fire under me to complete this!
Tony Sturtevant over 8 years ago

really outstanding!
Pete Janes over 8 years ago

Very much appreciated, Tony!
fixtape over 8 years ago

intense.
Pete Janes over 8 years ago

Mission accomplished! Thanks fixtape.
sorina over 8 years ago
Pete Janes over 8 years ago

I am most pleased and honored, Sorina.
fecundfreehand over 8 years ago

Excellent! love the repeat pattern in the b/ground too!
Pete Janes over 8 years ago

Thanks Fecund. If you look closely you can see on which side I started and on which side it was time for my cramping hand to put the pen down!
Hugh Fathers over 8 years ago

Fantastic image!! . . .
Pete Janes over 8 years ago

Very much appreciated, Hugh.