# Godfrey Schalken — Short Fiction character guide

> Godfrey Schalken in Short Fiction by J. Sheridan Le Fanu.

**Role:** major

**Also known as:** Schalken, Godfrey

**First appearance:** 0006-strange-event-in-the-life-of-schalken-the-painter

## Snapshot

A poor young Dutch painter who works for love, sketching grotesque imps by fading daylight while his heart belongs to the little Rose.

## Who they are

Schalken is an artist of modest birth courting Rose, the niece and ward of a jealous old master who demands proof of success before consenting to any union. He labors for improvement, or rather for love, doubling his efforts as her smiles encourage him. His patient devotion and growing skill make him the story's hopeful center, and the strange interruption that befalls his evening's work draws him toward the supernatural horror that will define his fate.

## In the story

### [Strange Event in the Life of Schalken the Painter](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_31_se/chapters/strange-event-in-the-life-of-schalken-the-painter)

The painter and protagonist; he experiences a supernatural vision of his lost love Rose and the demonic Vanderhausen.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_31_se/characters/schalken
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_31_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_31_se/characters