Project Gutenberg
2004-11-01
Public domain in the USA.
124
Balzac, Honoré de
1799
1850
Balzac, Honore de
Saint-Aubin, Horace de
De Balzac, Honoré
Balzac, H. de (Honoré de)
Wormeley, Katharine Prescott
1830
1908
Chef d'oeuvre inconnu. English
The Hidden Masterpiece
Produced by John Bickers, and Dagny, and David Widger
"The Hidden Masterpiece" by Honoré de Balzac is a novella written during the early 19th century. This literary work explores the intricate relationship between art, genius, and the sometimes tragic pursuit of perfection. The story revolves around the concept of an artist's obsession with capturing the essence of beauty through painting, illustrating the struggles and sacrifices made in the quest for mastery. The narrative follows a young aspiring painter named Nicolas Poussin, who seeks the guidance of the reclusive master, Maitre Frenhofer, renowned for creating a legendary artwork, the "Beautiful Nut-girl." Poussin's admiration for Frenhofer leads him into a world of artistic ambition, where he is introduced to the old master's intense passion for painting and his belief that true beauty is an ideal that transcends mere representation. Frenhofer's obsession culminates in his ultimate realization that despite his profound efforts and techniques, the essence of the masterpiece eludes him and ultimately leads to his despair and demise. The story poignantly underscores the conflict between artistic aspiration and the harsh realities of human limitation. (This is an automatically generated summary.)
en
Biographical fiction
France -- Fiction
French fiction -- Translations into English
Painters -- Fiction
Poussin, Nicolas, 1594?-1665 -- Fiction
PQ
Text
Browsing: Culture/Civilization/Society
Browsing: Literature
Browsing: Fiction
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