Enchanted artifact in The Oz Series
magic picture
Also known as a picture which constantly changed in appearance, a wonderful invention in magic, Ozma's magic picture, her enchanted picture.
A picture hanging on the wall of Ozma's private room that constantly changes in appearance, showing at one time a meadow, another a forest, a lake, or a village; a wonderful invention in magic that shows any part of the world or any living person Ozma wishes to see.
Appears in 3 chapters, first in chapter 69, last in chapter 89.
This encyclopedia covers chapters 1 to 100 of the story and shows the world as it stands at chapter 100, so it contains spoilers up to that point. To read it spoiler free, one chapter at a time, open the interactive codex.
What the story establishes
| Appearance | Hangs upon the wall of Ozma's private room; its surface constantly changes, showing at different moments a meadow, a forest, a lake, or a village. (as of ch. 69) |
| Charm invocation | The user simply expresses a wish (mentally or aloud) naming the place or person they want to see, and the picture's scene instantly shifts to show it. |
| Enchantments | Shows any part of the world or any living person Ozma wishes to see, the moment she expresses the wish. |
| Granted power | Grants its user the power to see, on demand, any part of the world or any living person simply by wishing it. |
| Object type | Artifact |
| Properties | Responds to a wish spoken by its user (Ozma), instantly displaying the wished-for person or place; Dorothy is also permitted to use it. (as of ch. 69) |
Relationships
- possesses ← Ozma ch. 69The magic picture is a magical invention belonging to Ozma, hanging in her private room and answering to her wishes.
- uses ← Dorothy (ended) ch. 69Dorothy asks to use Ozma's magic picture and wishes to see the Kansas farm and Aunt Em, then Uncle Henry, viewing them through the shifting scenes it shows.
- uses ← Ozma (ended) ch. 69Ozma owns and operates the magic picture, explaining that expressing a wish to see any part of the world or any person causes it to be shown in the picture.
- uses ← Dorothy (ended) ch. 89Dorothy uses the enchanted (magic) picture to view Uncle Henry and Aunt Em back on the Kansas farm.
From the text
"If I wish to see any part of the world or any person living, I need only express the wish and it is shown in the picture."Chapter 69
"Yes," said Ozma, "that is really a wonderful invention in magic."Chapter 69
"Make your wish, dear, and the picture will show the scene you desire to behold."Chapter 89
See magic picture chapter by chapter in the interactive codex →