Neznámé veledílo a jiné prózy - Povídky o umělcích] – de Balzac Honoré (2021)

Alongside his extensive novels capturing the life and customs of French society in the first half of the 19th century, Honoré de Balzac (1799–1850) also devoted himself to shorter literary forms, where his talent for characterization and ability to present a developed story in a small space stand out. A specific theme of these minor prose works by Balzac is the world of artists. As a writer, he naturally had a close connection to it, but he demonstrated particular understanding especially in the cases of painting and music. The theme of artistic genius, which borders on madness, is explored in the short story 'The Unknown Masterpiece' and in the novella 'Gambara' through the characters of the painter Frenhofer and the composer Gambara. Both, each in their own way, yearn for artistic truth and perfection; however, this desire or perhaps obsession can lead to their works remaining inaccessible to society. The story of the sculptor Sarrasine in the eponymous short story, among other things, shows how a humanly inexperienced and naive artist, immersed in his work from a young age, falls prey to the traps and intrigues of society, specifically the world of Roman opera. In contrast, the short story 'Pierre Grassou' depicts a painter who achieved success and recognition not through talent or originality, but through many years of hard work, sacrifice, and the ability to conform...