Nevermore

"Quoth the Raven, Nevermore" 

This 8 inch by 8 inch oil painting was based on Manet's uncopyrighted drawing. The story behind the painting, "The Raven" by Edgar Allan Poe, starts with a sad man on a dreary night. He is reading books to distract himself from his depression, when he hears a knock on his door. He opens his door and there sits a raven, who says "Nevermore" at him ominously. The man soon loses his wits as he asks the raven many questions, only to get the answer "Nevermore". The raven then settles in on the top of his door, and he is tormented by the raven, who he believes knows about his beloved Lenore who has passed. 

"Prophet!" said I, "thing of evil – prophet still, if bird or devil!
By that Heaven that bends above us – by that God we both adore –
Tell this soul with sorrow laden if, within the distant Aidenn,
It shall clasp a sainted maiden whom the angels name Lenore –
Clasp a rare and radiant maiden whom the angels name Lenore."
Quoth the Raven "Nevermore."

-Edgar Allan Poe