His Masterpiece
Émile Zola
Read by Lisa Reichert
“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 (15 hr 44 min)
Chapters
Preface | 12:32 | Read by Lisa Reichert |
Chapter 1, Part A | 31:53 | Read by Lisa Reichert |
Chapter 1, Part B | 23:36 | Read by Lisa Reichert |
Chapter 2, Part A | 45:03 | Read by Lisa Reichert |
Chapter 2, Part B | 24:44 | Read by Lisa Reichert |
Chapter 3, Part A | 40:42 | Read by Lisa Reichert |
Chapter 3, Part B | 45:10 | Read by Lisa Reichert |
Chapter 4, Part A | 29:57 | Read by Lisa Reichert |
Chapter 4, Part B | 41:29 | Read by Lisa Reichert |
Chapter 5, Part A | 24:26 | Read by Lisa Reichert |
Chapter 5, Part B | 45:46 | Read by Lisa Reichert |
Chapter 6, Part A | 24:40 | Read by Lisa Reichert |
Chapter 6, Part B | 43:02 | Read by Lisa Reichert |
Chapter 7, Part A | 46:33 | Read by Lisa Reichert |
Chapter 7, Part B | 38:51 | Read by Lisa Reichert |
Chapter 8, Part A | 35:49 | Read by Lisa Reichert |
Chapter 8, Part B | 39:04 | Read by Lisa Reichert |
Chapter 9, Part A | 48:11 | Read by Lisa Reichert |
Chapter 9, Part B | 41:21 | Read by Lisa Reichert |
Chapter 10, Part A | 39:10 | Read by Lisa Reichert |
Chapter 10, Part B | 47:10 | Read by Lisa Reichert |
Chapter 10, Part C | 27:38 | Read by Lisa Reichert |
Chapter 11, Part A | 40:09 | Read by Lisa Reichert |
Chapter 11, Part B | 51:12 | Read by Lisa Reichert |
Chapter 12, Part A | 20:03 | Read by Lisa Reichert |
Chapter 12, Part B | 36:03 | Read by Lisa Reichert |
Reviews
Well Read Insight to an Artist
Scott in Sandy Eggo
The story is a very well read insightful look into the a talented artist who descends into madness. Wish the ending was different, but perhaps Zola wanted to make a point.
zohreh
Too wordy, boring and anticlimactic. The reader was good with an uninteresting text.
Zola still teaches us to question and watch
Green Lake Loon
Emile
Neus Valls
great text. beautiful prose. fantastic reader.
Excellent
Denys
Truly wonderful reading of L'ŒUVRE.