This paper investigates the ekphrastic phenomenon in a number of the most important poems over the period from the late 1930s to the mid-1960s. The poems discussed include poems written about paintings, sculptures as well as imaginary works of art. In addition, the poems are written by male as well as female poets. Auden's ‘The Shield of Achilles', ‘Musée de Beaux Art', Williams's ‘Landscape with the Fall of Icarus', Plath's ‘The Disquieting Muses' and Sexton's ‘The Starry Night' are among the poems investigated. Certain aspects, such as grief, suffering and death wishes are found to be in common among most of the ekphrastic poems discussed. The paper points out that in almost all of the ekphrastic poems, the poet ventures a step beyond whatever suggested by the work(s) of art.