Isabella Flores
In the film Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, fans have spotted what appears to be a painting of Lord Voldemort. In a scene where students are walking through the staircase to the portrait of the Fat Lady, which guards the entrance to the Gryffindor Common Room, a portrait of a wizard in black robes with a nose and no hair can be seen. Fans have pointed out the resemblance to Voldemort, but it is unlikely that a portrait of him would be hung at Hogwarts, especially since he was not considered dead at the time. The portrait is more likely to be of Salazar Slytherin, one of the Hogwarts founders, who had a similar appearance to Voldemort.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Film | Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban |
| Scene | Students are making their way back to their dormitories after the start-of-term feast in the Great Hall |
| Time | About 25 minutes into the film |
| Location | Staircase and surrounding portraits near the Gryffindor Common Room |
| Description | A portrait of a wizard in black flowing robes, with black robes, pale skin, no hair, and a very peculiar nose (or lack of one) |
| Similarity to Voldemort | Uncanny |
| Plausibility | Portraits in Hogwarts are usually of dead witches and wizards, and Voldemort was considered alive at this time |
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What You'll Learn
The portrait's resemblance to Voldemort
In the film Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, there is a portrait of "a wizard in black flowing robes" that bears a striking resemblance to Lord Voldemort. The portrait, which is located near the entrance to the Gryffindor Common Room, depicts a wizard with black robes, pale skin, no hair, and a distinct nose (or lack thereof). This resemblance has led fans to believe that the portrait is, in fact, of Lord Voldemort, despite some contradictions to this theory.
Firstly, it is important to note that at the time of the film's release, Ralph Fiennes, who played Voldemort in subsequent films, had not yet been cast, and the final design for Voldemort's physical appearance had not been finalised. This suggests that the portrait may simply be a coincidence or an unintentional resemblance to the character as he later appears.
Additionally, it is unlikely that Albus Dumbledore would have allowed a portrait of Voldemort, the most evil wizard of the time, to hang on the walls of Hogwarts, especially near the Gryffindor Tower where Harry could easily see it. Furthermore, Hogwarts typically only displays portraits of deceased witches and wizards, and Voldemort would still be considered alive at the time of the film.
One alternative theory suggests that the portrait could be that of Hogwarts founder Salazar Slytherin, whose appearance is said to be similar to Voldemort's. This theory holds more weight, as it would be reasonable for a portrait of Slytherin to hang in the school he founded.
Despite these contradictions, the portrait's resemblance to Voldemort, particularly in the film adaptation of Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire and subsequent films, has led to much speculation and discussion among fans.
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The identity of the person in the painting
In the film Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, a painting that resembles Lord Voldemort can be seen during a scene where Harry and other Gryffindor students are trying to enter the Common Room. The painting is described as depicting a wizard in "black flowing robes", with pale skin, no hair, and no nose. While some fans believe this to be a portrait of Lord Voldemort, there are a few reasons why this is unlikely. Firstly, at the time of the film's release, Ralph Fiennes, who played Voldemort in subsequent films, had not yet been cast, and the design for Voldemort's physical appearance was not yet finalized. Additionally, given Voldemort's history as a dark wizard, it is doubtful that Albus Dumbledore would have allowed his portrait to hang in Hogwarts, especially near the Gryffindor Tower where Harry could easily see it. Furthermore, Hogwarts typically only displays portraits of deceased witches and wizards, and Voldemort would still be considered alive during the events of Prisoner of Azkaban.
Some fans have offered alternative explanations for the painting's identity. One theory suggests that the portrait may depict Salazar Slytherin, one of the founders of Hogwarts, whose appearance is said to bear a resemblance to Voldemort. Another possibility is that the painting is simply a coincidental likeness to Voldemort, and the character depicted is an unknown wizard who happened to look similar to the infamous dark lord.
While the true identity of the person in the painting remains unconfirmed, its inclusion in the film has been noted as a comical cameo, adding a light-hearted Easter egg for fans to discover. J.K. Rowling, the author of the Harry Potter book series, has not provided any official clarification on the matter, leaving the mystery surrounding the painting's identity open to speculation.
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Why the painting was included in the film
While it is not confirmed if the painting in question is indeed that of Voldemort, there are several theories as to why it was included in the film.
Firstly, the painting's inclusion may have been intended as a subtle Easter egg for fans. The Harry Potter films are known for including Easter eggs and hidden references that expand upon the books' content. The painting's resemblance to Voldemort, whether intentional or coincidental, could have been a subtle nod to the character, adding a layer of intrigue for viewers familiar with his appearance.
Secondly, the painting could have been included for comedic effect. In the scene, the Fat Lady, whose portrait guards the entrance to the Gryffindor Common Room, is singing and dancing obnoxiously, refusing to let the students enter until they watch her performance. The idea of Voldemort, a dark and feared character, dancing along to the Fat Lady's song adds a layer of humour to the scene. This interpretation is supported by the fact that the painting is not integral to the plot and is easy to miss, suggesting that its purpose may have been purely for comedic value.
Additionally, the painting's inclusion could be a visual representation of the impact Voldemort had on Hogwarts even when he was not physically present. The film focuses on the lives destroyed by Voldemort, and the painting may symbolize how his presence loomed over the school and its students, even in his absence.
Finally, some fans have theorized that the portrait might depict Salazar Slytherin, one of the founders of Hogwarts, who bore a resemblance to Voldemort. This theory addresses the inconsistencies with the idea that the portrait depicted Voldemort, such as the fact that portraits at Hogwarts typically depict deceased individuals, which Voldemort was not at the time.
While the exact reason for the painting's inclusion remains unclear, these theories offer possible explanations for why the filmmakers chose to include this intriguing and controversial element in the film.
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The painting's location in Hogwarts
While there is no definitive evidence that a painting of Voldemort exists in Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, some fans have pointed out a portrait that resembles the Dark Lord. This painting is located in a staircase leading to the portrait of the Fat Lady, which guarded the entrance to Gryffindor Tower. The portrait in question is described as depicting a wizard in black flowing robes, with pale skin, no hair, and a distinct nose.
Now, let's discuss the locations of paintings in Hogwarts, as depicted in the "Hogwarts Legacy" game. The game features moth paintings, which are lifeless paintings with a moth-shaped mould at the bottom. These paintings can be found in various hidden and new locations throughout Hogwarts and Hogsmeade. Players must find the corresponding magical moths and return them to the frames to bring the paintings to life. The Revelio spell is useful for highlighting the exact locations of the moths, while the Lumos spell attracts the moths to the player's wand.
The Gorgon Portrait is another painting located in the Library Annex of Hogwarts. It is found behind an Arithmancy Puzzle Door in the Long Gallery, a hallway connecting the Library Annex and the Bell Tower Courtyard Floo Flame. Interacting with this painting leads to a funny scene of the player's character getting temporarily petrified.
In addition to these specific examples, Hogwarts Legacy features numerous empty painting frames and hidden secrets throughout its living castle. Players can explore the castle to discover these paintings and unlock rewards, such as Field Guide Pages, which aid in their quest progression.
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The design of Voldemort's physical appearance
In the Harry Potter series, Voldemort is the main antagonist and the archenemy of Harry Potter. He is a fictional character created by J.K. Rowling, and he first appears in the first novel, Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, and returns in every novel except the third, Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, in which he is only mentioned.
Voldemort's physical appearance in the books is described as snake-like, with reptilian slits for nostrils, serpentine eyes, and pale ghostly skin. This appearance is likely the result of magical transformations he underwent while travelling, as well as the many breakings of his soul and the methods he chose to be resurrected. His eyes are described as permanently bloodshot, and his skin is pale, with dark eyes and hair.
In the movies, Voldemort's design was created to reflect his interior, with his exterior lacking any redeeming qualities. The design team initially created a more serpentine face that protruded from the back of Professor Quirrell's skull, but this was dropped in favour of a more human-looking Voldemort, with a fully human nose. In the films, Voldemort is shown with dark black robes, being tall and emaciated, with no hair, long pale blue fingernails, and yellowish teeth. His wand is white with a bone-like handle, and his eyes are blue, although they briefly take on a snake-like appearance when he turns human.
In Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, some fans have pointed out that there appears to be a painting of Voldemort in a scene where the students are walking through the staircase to the portrait of the Fat Lady. The portrait is described as a "portrait of a wizard in black flowing robes", and it is unlikely that it is a portrait of Voldemort, as Dumbledore would not have allowed his portrait to hang in the castle, especially near Gryffindor Tower. Additionally, the actor who played Voldemort in the later films had not yet been cast when the third film was made, and the final design for Voldemort's physical appearance had not yet been finalised.
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Frequently asked questions
In the film, there is a portrait of a wizard in black, flowing robes that bears a striking resemblance to Lord Voldemort. However, it is unlikely to be a portrait of Voldemort as the character design for Voldemort had not yet been finalised.
It is unlikely that Albus Dumbledore would have allowed a portrait of Voldemort to be hung in Hogwarts, especially near Gryffindor Tower. Additionally, portraits in Hogwarts usually depict dead witches and wizards, and Voldemort was still considered alive at the time.
The portrait may depict Hogwarts founder Salazar Slytherin, whose appearance is similar to Voldemort's.
Yes, Voldemort makes a brief, comical cameo appearance as a dancing portrait in the background of a scene.
