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A New York Review Books Original One of Honor 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... Read Full Overview

The Unknown Masterpiece is a novella by French author Honore de Balzac. The story follows the character of Frenhofer, an aging artist who has spent his life working on a single painting. Frenhofer believes that his painting is a masterpiece, but when he shows it to his friends... Read Full Overview

The Unknown Masterpiece

Le Chef-d'oeuvre inconnu]

Honor de Balzac

Translated by Ellen Marriage

Le Chef-d'oeuvre inconnu (English "The Unknown Masterpiece") is a short story by Honor de Balzac. It was first published in the newspaper L'Artiste... Read Full Overview

Le jeune Nicolas Poussin, encore inconnu, rend visite au peintre Porbus dans son atelier. Il est accompagn du vieux matre Frenhofer, qui met de savants commentaires sur le grand tableau que Porbus vient de terminer. Il s'agit de Marie l'gyptienne, dont Frenhofer fait l'loge,... Read Full Overview

HONOR DE BALZAC Francia 1799 - 1850

Le jeune Nicolas Poussin, encore inconnu, rend visite au peintre Porbus dans son atelier. Il est accompagn du vieux ma tre Frenhofer, qui met de savants commentaires sur le grand tableau que Porbus vient de terminer. Il s'agit de Marie l' gyptienne, dont Frenhofer fait l' loge,... Read Full Overview

Le Chef-d'oeuvre inconnu constitue une r flexion sur l'art. Incipit: Vers la fin de l'ann e 1612, par une froide matin e de d cembre, un jeune homme dont le v tement tait de tr s mince apparence, se promenait devant la porte d'une maison situ e rue des Grands-Augustins, Paris... Read Full Overview

A New York Review Books OriginalOne of Honor? 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... Read Full Overview

On a cold December morning in the year 1612, a young man, whose clothing was somewhat of the thinnest, was walking to and fro before a gateway in the Rue des GrandsAugustins in Paris. He went up and down the street before this house with the irresolution of a gallant who dares... Read Full Overview

The Unknown Masterpiece - Le Chef-d'oeuvre - inconnu - Honor de Balzac - Translated by Ellen Marriage - Le Chef-d'oeuvre inconnu (English "The Unknown Masterpiece") is a short story by Honore de Balzac. It was first published in the newspaper L'Artiste with the title "Maitre... Read Full Overview

This scarce antiquarian book is a facsimile reprint of the original. Due to its age, it may contain imperfections such as marks, notations, marginalia and flawed pages. Because we believe this work is culturally important, we have made it available as part of our commitment for... Read Full Overview