Unknown Masterpiece

“The Unknown Masterpiece” (“Le Chef-d’œuvre inconnu”) is a novella by Honoré de Balzac, published with revisions in 1845, after earlier versions in 1831 and 1837. “The Unknown Masterpiece” grapples with questions of real life vs. artistic representations of life, and artist’s intentions vs. audience reception. We follow a discussion between three artists in the early 1600s. Two of these artists are based on historical figures — Nicolas Poussin and Frans Pourbus (Porbus) the Younger. The third is a fictional creation — “Master Frenhofer,” a genius painter who has been struggling for years to complete his masterpiece. Frenhofer is full of ideas — perhaps too full. He discourses passion…