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“He, passionate, studious, austere, and having already a bride in his Art …”

This quote comes at the beginning of the description of the origins of the oval portrait and describes the artist’s character traits. It sets up the central conflict of the tale behind the oval portrait: the discord between the artist’s love for art and the young woman’s love for the artist. It also reveals the artist to be the narrator’s kindred spirit, as someone who lives for art and would do anything for it.

“But he, the painter, took glory in his work, which went on from hour to hour, and from day to day. And he was a passionate, and wild, and moody man, who became lost in reveries …”

This quote occurs just before the story’s climax and describes the painter’s process while creating the oval portrait. Again, the artist’s character traits mirror those of the narrator. This implied comparison is important because it shows how both the artist and the narrator have a tendency to let their love become an obsession.

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