Comedie humane picasso biography

short story by Honoré de Balzac

"Le Chef-d'œuvre inconnu" (English: "The Unknown Masterpiece") is a short story by Honoré de Balzac. It was first published in the newspaper L'Artiste with the title "Maître Frenhofer" (English: "Master Frenhofer") in August It appeared again later in the same year under the title "Catherine Lescault, conte fantastique".

It was published in Balzac's Études philosophiques in and was integrated into La Comédie humaine in The work is separated into two chapters: "Gillette"^[1] and "Catherine Lescault".^[2]

"Le Chef-d'œuvre inconnu" is a reflection on art, and has had an important influence on modernist artists.

Comedie humane picasso biography wikipedia

Plot summary

Young Nicolas Poussin, as yet unknown, visits the painter Porbus in his workshop. He is accompanied by the old master Frenhofer, who comments expertly on the large tableau that Porbus has just finished.

The painting is of Mary of Egypt, and while Frenhofer sings her prai