Madison Portrait Puzzle Guide

TL;DR

  • Collect four portraits from attic, office, and grandfather’s closet locations
  • Discover hidden numbers behind portraits using your camera to reveal invisible clues
  • Combine portrait ages with wall numbers through addition or subtraction to reach 43
  • Use the planet puzzle solution to access Filomena’s portrait in the closet
  • Note puzzle randomization means specific solutions vary between playthroughs

Successfully navigating Madison’s attic requires understanding both the puzzle’s core mechanics and its randomized nature across different gaming sessions.

While most horror game protagonists wisely avoid attics, Luca finds himself drawn to this challenging puzzle location. Fortunately, the attic contains a complex portrait arrangement challenge rather than immediate danger. This mathematical puzzle demands careful observation and systematic problem-solving to progress.

Important note: Madison implements dynamic puzzle generation, meaning the specific numerical values and portrait placements will differ in each playthrough. However, the fundamental solving methodology remains consistent, allowing you to apply the same strategic approach regardless of randomization.

Creepy.

The atmospheric attic setting houses one of Madison’s most challenging puzzles.

Before tackling the mathematical aspects, you must gather all four required portraits from their various hiding spots throughout the house.

Begin your search in the attic itself, where two portraits await discovery. The portrait of Giovinna Maxwell rests on the floor in one corner, easily overlooked amidst the clutter. Another portrait already hangs in position, providing your initial puzzle components.

Pascual Maxwell’s portrait requires venturing to your grandfather’s office. Access this area after progressing through your grandparents’ old room. The circular-framed portrait occupies a prominent position on the wall, making it relatively straightforward to locate once you reach the correct location.

The most challenging portrait to acquire is Filomena Maxwell’s hexagonal-framed image, secured within your grandfather’s closet. Gaining entry involves solving the planetary puzzle in the adjacent bathroom, which features eight planets (excluding Pluto) arranged around a mysteriously sink-only fixture. After solving this preliminary puzzle and using your hammer to remove the boarding, you’ll finally access Filomena’s portrait.

Solving the portrait puzzle hinges on identifying and interpreting multiple layers of clues, some visible and others requiring photographic revelation.

The most prominent visible clue is the number 43 inscribed near a brick wall opening at the attic’s far end. This references Madison’s age at death, though that historical context doesn’t directly impact the puzzle solution. Additionally, you’ll notice painted shapes on the walls corresponding to your portrait frames, but these don’t provide the straightforward matching solution they initially suggest.

Each portrait carries crucial information on its reverse side: the subject’s age when photographed. A vital photographic clue beneath the circular wall mount states “Age is just a number you can add and subtract,” providing the essential mathematical operation hint.

The most easily missed clues require photographic investigation. Remove Albert’s square-framed portrait and photograph the question mark symbol hidden behind it. After developing this image, you’ll reveal a numerical value. Each portrait position conceals a similar hidden number, all discoverable through strategic photography.

If you're playing on normal, the blank Polaroids hint that you should snap some pictures.

Normal difficulty provides blank Polaroid hints suggesting photographic investigation of key areas.

If the puzzle mechanics still perplex you, the core solution involves combining portrait ages with hidden wall numbers through basic arithmetic operations.

The fundamental objective requires pairing each portrait’s age value with its corresponding wall number, then using either addition or subtraction to achieve a total of 43. This mathematical approach explains the “Age is just a number you can add and subtract” clue’s significance.

For example, if a portrait shows age 25 and its wall position hides number 18, adding these values (25 + 18) produces the required 43. Alternatively, if another combination involves age 50 and wall number 7, subtracting (50 – 7) similarly yields the target number. You must experiment with both operations for each portrait-wall combination.

Difficulty settings impact clue availability. Normal mode provides blank Polaroid hints explicitly directing you to photograph specific areas, while higher difficulties remove these assistance elements, requiring more independent discovery.

Common solving mistakes include fixating on wall shapes rather than numerical relationships or overlooking the need to photograph behind removed portraits. Successful solvers methodically document all discovered values before testing combinations systematically.

Action Checklist

  • Collect attic portraits including Giovinna from floor and wall positions
  • Retrieve Pascual’s circular portrait from grandfather’s office
  • Solve planetary bathroom puzzle to access closet with Filomena’s hexagonal portrait
  • Photograph behind all portrait positions to reveal hidden numbers
  • Calculate portrait age + wall number combinations to reach 43

No reproduction without permission:SeeYouSoon Game Club » Madison Portrait Puzzle Guide Master the Madison attic portrait puzzle with our comprehensive guide to locating portraits and solving the mathematical challenge