The Unknown Masterpiece

The first short story [there are two in this book] is 22 pages filled with the challenges & conflicts faced by anyone who aspires to fame in the visual arts. The struggle is timeless. Readers should know beforehand that of the three artist only Frenhaufer is fictional -- Poussin & Porbus were actually living at the time of the action -- though Balzac changes their ages & -- for Porbus -- his status at that time. Fact & fiction are skillfully woven into an art form which has been utilized by so many writers. The introduction to the book gives a short history of that period in art history. Knowledge of Balzac's life experiences & writing habits adds greatly to the reader's appreciation. In the second short story Balzac again tries to relate the struggles of artist -- though he uses the performing arts for his subject. B. Joan Wragg

Who among us doesn't have their own 'great unfinished work?' How many of us have wanted to do something that was greater than ourselves? How many of us want to put something out there not only into the current public forum, but into the historical forum as well? Something, perhaps a work of art not only for the 'now,' but for posterity, too? I do. And certainly most of my friends, if they're being honest, do, too. It stands to reason that although the idea and the drive may be there, most will never accomplish the masterpiece that eludes them. And although we try, what we produce is often so devilishly poor in quality that, sickened, we tear it up, or painted over it, or erase the recording vowing to never again attempt something so foolish. Yet, a few days pass, and there we are, attempting. Tempting. So we lie. We lie to ourselves and we lie to our friends. We convince everyone that what we have in store is beyond measure. Beyond perfect. Not just life changing, but culture changing. And if this continues long enough, we tend to believe it. Egging on our ego, building ourselves and our work or our talent up to the point the it transcends the ability of humans and must have be a work of pure divinity. Creating our own legend. Perpetuating our own myth. But alas, our ability is simply human. And as a result, the work we produce, while perhaps divine in inspiration, is always human in ability. And as it is human, it is, as we are, fallible. This book could be about art. It could be about the fear of opening ourselves up to the judgment of others. I think it is about being human.

At first glance "The Unknown Masterpiece" and "Gambarra" are dissimilar tales about a painter and a composer. Yet they share in common the main protagonist's struggle to make a masterpiece; the finest painting and opera ever conceived. Unfortunately in "The Unknown Masterpiece" the painter Frenhofer is so dissatisfied with his work that he paints it anew, and it is seen by his friends, with disastrous consequences for all. In "Gambarra" the composer of the same name struggles to finish an opera on the early history of Islam, which he promises will be more glorious than any by Mozart. Such lofty ambitions remain unrealized, leaving the composer impoverished. Without question two of the greatest tales ever written by Balzac, influencing generations of painters, writers and other artists.

It's amazing that the author was able to create an essay on 20th century abstract art in 1834. But this story is much more than that. It is a commentary on the parallels between art and human psychology, and the unreality of both... also, a character study, a mystery, an allegorical tale... all within 40 pages. In keeping with its theme, The Unknown Masterpiece is, on the other hand, none of those things. In keeping with its title... at least in this country.

This is such a strange short story by Balzac. The premise is simple: An aging Parisian artist is obsessed over a single painting which he has been working on for years. When his friends finally get to see the work, they see nothing. This is the riddle of the story: what's in the painting? Also, what is this story about? Is it a parable of art or beauty or obsession? It's interesting painters and artists were taken by this story. It speaks of the heart of darkness that is modern art. Kudos for NYRB on this new translation by Richard Howard. The question remains whether we'll be seeing new or revised translations of Balzac's other works.