It’s 1893 in York, a city most haunted. Notorious Victorian ghost hunter, Professor Matthias Jeremiah Braithwaite, has gone missing. His diary, documenting his exploration of the city in search of paranormal activity, has been discovered. Could this explain the mystery of his disappearance?
“I shall endeavour to impart to you this intriguing account both of romance and ghostly happenings at The Merchants Adventurers Hall - a most majestic and superbly-preserved building which has long since been the home of commerce and worship within the city. Wealthy merchants would meet within its fine and ancient walls to shake hands on trade deals which would both benefit themselves and bring new and unusual goods to the people of the city …. albeit for a price.
Situated behind the hall in this most beautiful of settings is a nook which was used as a meeting place for lovers whose amour was often frowned upon on account of the different standings of their families. The original ruined windows salvaged from the chapel now form a lovers’ seat for those trapped in the afterlife. Illuminated by the purple light of my clockwork lantern I spied a couple. The young lady I shall name Iris on account of the flower embroidered on her simple shroud. Her partner, whom I shall call Tobias, was a very fine gentleman dressed in an elaborate shroud, possibly medieval, adorned with the finest embroidery and braiding. I deduced from their appearances that this young couple, entwined in a lovers’ embrace, were meeting in secret, their love forbidden on account of his being a wealthy merchant and she a lady of lower standing.
It was not, however, the lovers that piqued my interest, but something rather more fascinating that sparked my scientific curiosity. Above this romantic scene I glimpsed the slightest of movements atop the arches which appeared to be a ghostly cat clinging to the archways like lichen. This animal was curiously different to any of my other ghostly encounters as it looked directly at me, following my every move. I tore a sheet of paper from my journal, screwed it into a ball and then threw it to my side. The cat jerked its head in the direction of the paper ball but remained exactly where it was, continuing to stare at me for some time, seemingly waiting for me to provide it with further entertainment. I found this to be a most interesting encounter, albeit only with an animal, as it was my first real contact with the afterlife. This feline I shall call Moss on account of the way it clung to the archway. I intend to pay it another visit in the coming days and bring with me other items of potential interest to it that might allow me to investigate our interactions further.”
Prof Matthias. J. Braithwaite
The image is available in four formats:
Monochrome - a black & white print in a black mount
Colour - a colour print in a black mount
Enchanted Edition - a larger mounted print where the ghostly images glow under black light
Enchanted Limited Edition - a larger mounted print where the ghosts and many other background details illuminate under black light. The mount is hand signed by the artist and numbered from an edition of 1893 - the year of the Professor's disappearance!
The UV details are hand painted onto the print - each image will be slightly different. A black light torch/ UV lamp is required to view the ghostly glow - a regular torch will not work.
In his diary, the Professor recorded the discovery of the ghostly glow with his magic lamp. The diary entry, printed on aged parchment effect paper, is included with each artwork.
"What Devilry is this? My sketches and impressions of these unworldly beings have been enchanted by some form of witchcraft. It seems a ghoulish hand has been at work mimicking my own and changing the very nature of my picture. Viewed using a strange light purchased on my adventures in the Far East, an unnatural glow emanates from the very soul of the spirit I have drawn. It is my belief that this light will let me see into this world of spirits beyond our own - it will require much further study and experimentation.”
Would you like your picture framing? Our favourite frame choices for this picture are Small Linear Black and Wide Distressed Black. The prints are framed on demand in the gallery's workshop - if the print is in stock, we can frame it! Do contact the gallery if you need help with framing, as we stock many other frames.
© The Artist
