English
Culture & leisure
Limited Offer
Then 99 kr. / monthCancel anytime.
“His Masterpiece" (“L’Oeuvre”) is a fictionalized account of the Parisian art world in the mid 19th century, and the emerging Realism, Naturalism and Impressionism movements. Emile Zola and Paul Cezanne had been friends from childhood, and the main character of the novel is thought to be largely drawn from Cezanne, as well as from Eduard Manet and Claude Monet. Zola himself appears in the work, in the character of Pierre Sandoz, a novelist. The painter in this story, Claude Lantier, attempts to revolutionize the art establishment, where artists painted in the studio and concentrated on mythological, historical and religious subjects. Instead, Lantier paints outdoors, in natural light, and with commonplace subjects. He gained a small group of supporters and fellow-practitioners in art, literature, architecture and music, but he could never manage to break out, and the public persisted in misunderstanding his aims. Meanwhile the artist sank into obsession and depression. It is believed that the publication of this book, which documents the failure of the artist to realize his potential, led to a permanent rift between Cezanne and Zola. - Summary by Lisa Reichert
Choose your subscription
Most popular
Limited Offer
Premium
20 hours of audiobooks
Podcasts only on Podimo
No ads in Podimo shows
Cancel anytime
2 months for 19 kr.
Then 99 kr. / month
Premium Plus
Unlimited audiobooks
Podcasts only on Podimo
No ads in Podimo shows
Cancel anytime
Start 7 days free trial
Then 129 kr. / month
2 months for 19 kr. Then 99 kr. / month. Cancel anytime.