The Madonna of the Future by Henry James
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About this eBook
| Author | James, Henry, 1843-1916 |
|---|---|
| Title | The Madonna of the Future |
| Note | Reading ease score: 69.9 (8th & 9th grade). Neither easy nor difficult to read. |
| Credits | Transcribed from the 1887 Macmillan and Co. edition by David Price, proofed by Jennifer Austin |
| Summary | "The Madonna of the Future" by Henry James is a novella written in the late 19th century, during the transitional period between the Victorian era and the early modern age. The narrative explores themes of artistic aspiration, the struggle for perfection in art, and the complex relationships between artists and their subjects. Set primarily in Florence, it reflects on the nature of artistic ambition and the dichotomy between idealism and reality. The story centers on an American artist named Theobald, who is obsessed with creating a masterpiece—a Madonna that synthesizes the best attributes of past representations of the Virgin Mary. The protagonist, who serves as the narrator, recounts his encounters with Theobald, whose lofty ideals and passionate devotion to art seem at odds with his inability to create anything significant. As their friendship develops, the narrator learns about Theobald's muse, Serafina, a beautiful woman whose simplicity and maternal aura have captured Theobald’s imagination. However, Theobald's fixation leads to a tragic realization that time has worn away the freshness of both his muse and his own artistic prospects. Ultimately, the story serves as a poignant reflection on the struggle between artistic ambition and the harsh realities of life, culminating in a meditation on failure and loss. (This is an automatically generated summary.) |
| Language | English |
| LoC Class | PS: Language and Literatures: American and Canadian literature |
| Subject | Artists -- Fiction |
| Category | Text |
| EBook-No. | 2460 |
| Release Date | Jan 1, 2001 |
| Most Recently Updated | Jan 1, 2021 |
| Copyright Status | Public domain in the USA. |
| Downloads | 425 downloads in the last 30 days. |
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