Portrait of Professor Severus Snape by Jim Kay, for The Prisoner of Azkaban

This portrait of Severus Snape was painted by Jim Kay for the illustrated edition of Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban. It is rich in symbolism. The bottled mole signifies Snape’s role as a spy for the Order of the Phoenix, while the lilies of the valley by his hands represent his enduring love for Harry’s mother, Lily. The scissors refer to ‘sectumsempra’, the Dark Magic spell Snape invented, and the green cravat and table top echo the colour of his Hogwarts house, Slytherin.