The Unknown Masterpiece (New York Review Books Classics) [Paperback]

Honoré de Balzac (Author), Richard Howard (Translator), Arthur C. Danto (Introduction)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 31, 2000

A New York Review Books Original

One of Honoré de Balzac's most celebrated tales, "The Unknown Masterpiece" is the story of a painter who, depending on one's perspective, is either an abject failure or a transcendental genius—or both. The story, which has served as an inspiration to artists as various as Cézanne, Henry James, Picasso, and New Wave director Jacques Rivette, is, in critic Dore Ashton's words, a "fable of modern art."

Published here in a new translation by poet Richard Howard, "The Unknown Masterpiece" appears, as Balzac intended, with "Gambara," a grotesque and tragic novella about a musician undone by his dreams.

Editorial Reviews

Review

“The greatest novelist of the nineteenth century and perhaps of all time.” —The New York Times

“The hero of The Unknown Masterpiece, Frenhofer, is one of Balzac’s archetypal artists. . .” —TheWashington Post

Language Notes

Text: English (translation)
Original Language: French

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Product Details

• Paperback: 160 pages
• Publisher: NYRB Classics; New edition edition (August 31, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0940322749
• ISBN-13: 978-0940322745
• Product Dimensions: 5 x 0.4 x 8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #337,032 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Magnificent Obsession, July 5, 2001

By 

Futoshi J. Tomori - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Unknown Masterpiece (New York Review Books Classics) (Paperback)

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.

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Tales About Artists Struggling To Create Masterpieces, January 23, 2004

By 

John Kwok (New York, NY USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Unknown Masterpiece (New York Review Books Classics) (Paperback)

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.

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The birth of the modern, November 26, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: The Unknown Masterpiece (New York Review Books Classics) (Paperback)

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.