Portrait of Barnabas Collins (I)

The first portrait of Barnabas Collins is a fictional item featured in the daytime gothic soap opera Dark Shadows, which aired on ABC from 1966-1971. It first appeared in episode 211.

The portrait of Barnabas Collins was commissioned in the late 18th century and featured Barnabas adorned in much of his trademark jewelry from the time period, including his black signet ring, a broach and his wolf's-head cane. Some time in the 20th century, the portrait was hung in the foyer at Collinwood where it has remained ever since.

In 1967, Willie Loomis took an intense interest in the painting; in particular the jewelry on Barnabas' clothing. He deduced that the Collins family jewels might be hidden in the Collins family mausoleum, but his efforts to unearth them only succeeded in releasing Barnabas Collins, who was now a vampire. Barnabas used his powers to mentally enslave Willie and every time he gazed upon the portrait, he was filled with terror.

Upon meeting Barnabas Collins, Elizabeth Collins Stoddard remarked about the similarities between he and the figure in the portrait, whom Barnabas claimed was his direct ancestor.

Notes & Trivia

 * The artist who originally rendered the portrait is unknown.


 * A second portrait was commissioned by Barnabas himself and was crafted by local Collinsport artist Sam Evans. It was hung above the mantle at the Old House on the Collinwood estate.

Related categories

 * Portrait of Barnabas Collins (I)/Appearances