Honore de Balzac

Pierre Grassou Honore de Balzac

This short story, a part of the Comedie Humaine, begins with Balzac criticising the annual exhibition at the Louvre which nowadays admits a greater number- largely unworthy- works. He then tells the tale of Pierre Grassou, a likeable but rather unskilled artist, who grafts for years producing 'servile imitations' of great works, which he then sells on for a pittance to a dealer, who manages to sell them all. One day, his pitying friends, 'great' artists themselves, arrange to have one of his works shown at the Salon... Interesting story with a twist at the end. Balzac also includes a consideration of how it is that so many mediocre individuals 'make it'- whether through pity of others, their likeability etc.