The Thompson-Gifford Case

Frederic Thompson was a New York goldsmith with no art training who began experiencing an irresistible urge to paint. He discovered he was creating works in the style of Robert Swain Gifford, a recently deceased artist he had met only once. The case was investigated by psychical researchers.

The Beginning

In 1905, Thompson began hearing a voice telling him to paint. He felt compelled to sketch trees and seascapes. He experienced mental images of scenes he had never visited. The compulsion interfered with his work.

The Artist

Robert Swain Gifford was a successful landscape painter who had died in January 1905. Thompson had met him once, briefly, years before. Thompson had no art training and had never attempted serious painting.

The Paintings

Thompson produced paintings that experts identified as strikingly similar to Gifford’s style. More remarkably, some depicted specific locations that Gifford had painted. Thompson had never visited these places. Gifford’s widow recognized scenes her husband had painted.

The Investigation

James Hyslop, secretary of the American Society for Psychical Research, investigated the case extensively. He arranged for Thompson to visit locations Gifford had painted. Thompson found and painted the same scenes from the same perspectives.

The Medium Evidence

Through mediums, supposed communication with Gifford’s spirit confirmed he was attempting to complete his artistic work through Thompson. The spirit provided verifiable information about Gifford’s life.

Assessment

The Thompson-Gifford case presents evidence of posthumous artistic influence or possession. A man with no art training produced works in the exact style of a dead artist, depicting specific locations he had never seen. The case remains unexplained.