Uncovering the Truths of the Unknown Masterpiece

Honore de Balzac's "The Unidentified Work of art" not only checks out the nature of art through the discourse of 3 painters with varied expertise, but it also concentrates on an "ailment" which may have afflicted some artists and perfectionists alike: fixation. Moreover, for such a narrative, "The Unidentified Masterpiece" is made compact by the additional ideas that are come across. There is the concern of the subjectivity of art analysis and the morality of presenting naked for art's sake.

I think that the story is itself a surprise work of art, not since it is not popular but due to the fact that regardless of its brief length, it has the ability to deal with abstract and complicated concepts worldwide of the 3 painters, Frenhofer, Porbus and Poussin.

This is something a reader will not get out of such a brief story. In the story, fascination is connected to Frenhofer's belief that revealing his erotic work of art is comparable to prostitution.

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"Program my creature, my partner?-- tear off the veil with which I have chastely concealed my delight? It would be prostitution!

For 10 years I have actually dealt with this woman; she is mine, mine alone! She loves me!" (Balzac) The painter's fixation, however, does not solely live in his "masterpiece"; his whole being is enveloped by fixation. In truth, when he speaks about what he thinks about to be the best painting, he becomes crazy like a mad poet instead of an academic painter. He criticizes the paintings of his host, Francois Porbus declaring the works to be just technical portrayals of nature.

Frenhofer has strong beliefs when it pertains to art and he is vocal about these beliefs.

I think that at several points he comes through as a raving, insane person not as an art expert. He can also be very condescending, calling the young and impoverished painter, Nicolas Poussin “my little friend” (Balzac). In my opinion, his delusion of grandeur has prevented him from considering that his work, his hidden and unknown, masterpiece may only be a masterpiece in his eyes. This is remarkably different from Porbus’ acceptance of his criticism “The contempt which the old man affected to pour upon the noblest efforts of art, his wealth, his manners, the respectful deference shown to him by Porbus, his work

guarded so secretly,--a work of patient toil, a work no doubt of genius, judging by the head of the Virgin which Poussin had so naively admired” (Balzac). The deference given to Frenhofer by Porbus and Poussin creates a more mythical feel to the hidden “masterpiece”. The story also tackles the subjectivity of art interpretation. It seems to say that people judge a piece of art based on the artist. Once an artist has become established, everything that he or she creates becomes a masterpiece in the eyes of its audience.

There seems to be a more genuine quality to appreciating the works of emerging young artists who do not have a name to save their exhibits. As the only one living that has been trained by “The Master”, Frenhofer makes it his inherent privilege that his works be accepted as genius, especially one that he has chosen to keep for himself. The fact that the said masterpiece is unknown to other people’s eyes makes Porbus and Poussin more curious and more convinced that indeed, there is a brilliant work of art somewhere that has not graced public exhibits.

This goes to show that creating an air of mystery can provide someone publicity and a somewhat mystic quality. Another theme in the novella is the question of the morality of posing nude. Many artists claim that nudity does not elicit malicious thoughts when it comes to art. Nudes are supposed to be celebrations of the human form. However, in the story, Frenhofer feels that showing his sensual painting is equivalent to prostituting its model. Gillete, Poussin’s beloved, feels the same way.

She believes that Poussin no longer loves her because he has presented her to become Frenhofer’s nude model, thus suggesting that she also feels prostituted. Balzac’s story suggests on the other hand that Gillete has nothing to worry about from Frenhofer. He is indeed one of those lofty minded painters who paint to achieve masterpieces and will not devour her with lascivious glances. In fact, his beloved painting is not what the others expect it to be. The realization of how the others perceive his painting creates a new awareness in Frenhofer.

He is not able to take the strain of such a frustration: “On the morrow Porbus, alarmed, went again to visit Frenhofer, and found that he had died during the night, after having burned his paintings” (Balzac). I believe that Balzac’s novella “The Unknown Masterpiece” lets us glimpse into the world of artists, their struggles to become famous and remain respected. Poussin is at the beginning of his career and he risks even his relationship with Gillete in order to get further in the world of art.

Porbus has already proved to be a highly skilled technical painter and still gives deference to old masters. Last but not the least, Frenhofer has achieved such a high status in his field that disappointments come harsher and expectations are much higher. In each of their respective journeys, they encounter some moral and ethical questions just like in any other profession. They have to struggle between being true to their art and beliefs and obsessively aiming to become someone well known.

Work Cited:

Balzac, Honore de. 28 April 2008 <http://www. fullbooks. com/The-Hidden-Masterpiece. html>.