"The Oval Portrait" is a short story by the American author, poet, editor, and literary critic Edgar Allan Poe. It was first published in 1842 as part of Poe's collection of short stories entitled "Tales of the Grotesque and Arabesque." "The Oval Portrait" tells the story of a painter who becomes so obsessed with his portrait of his wife that he neglects her, with tragic consequences. Poe is known for his contributions to the genres of horror and mystery, and his work has had a significant influence on American literature and popular culture.