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The Unsigned Masterpiece
Daniel Feinstein strolls to the podium amidst thunderous applause. He knows he deserves the international award for 1895. Critics and colleagues call his latest opus his masterpiece, despite his opposite approach from the fashionable impressionist painters.
His father sits in the audience with his eyebrows worrying themselves into a frown. Daniel waves to him and gives his short speech, sincere only in acknowledgement of his genius. But a glance at the painting forces even him to pause.
Someday he will paint Christ. It's the only way to cement his place in history and relegate the Renaissance painters to the realm of utter failures. His Christ will be the most beautiful work in the history of the world.
He smiles broadly as he waves to the cheering audience, showing his handsome teeth.
If only he could see the image in his mind's eye! Every other work has showed itself in minute detail to him before the canvas was ever stretched, but the image of Jesus stubbornly refuses to appear.
For now, The Christ would wait. Surely he was entitled to enjoy the wealth, fame and luxury his gifts procure for him. Later, he assures himself, he will find a way to force the image onto the canvas.
Daniel could not then see the teachers of passion and tenderness, outrage and agony, betrayal and loss waiting in his future to give him the lessons he will need to realize his ambition.
His father sits in the audience with his eyebrows worrying themselves into a frown. Daniel waves to him and gives his short speech, sincere only in acknowledgement of his genius. But a glance at the painting forces even him to pause.
Someday he will paint Christ. It's the only way to cement his place in history and relegate the Renaissance painters to the realm of utter failures. His Christ will be the most beautiful work in the history of the world.
He smiles broadly as he waves to the cheering audience, showing his handsome teeth.
If only he could see the image in his mind's eye! Every other work has showed itself in minute detail to him before the canvas was ever stretched, but the image of Jesus stubbornly refuses to appear.
For now, The Christ would wait. Surely he was entitled to enjoy the wealth, fame and luxury his gifts procure for him. Later, he assures himself, he will find a way to force the image onto the canvas.
Daniel could not then see the teachers of passion and tenderness, outrage and agony, betrayal and loss waiting in his future to give him the lessons he will need to realize his ambition.
414 pages, Hardcover
Published April 4, 2025
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6 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
June 12, 2025
Love, hate, joy, anguish, fear, peace...
All the great emotions are present in this beautiful story of a man who is given many, many trials in his life but who also realizes many, many blessings.
I fell in love with the characters portrayed. I felt their pain and heartaches as if they were my own family. But I was also lifted by the happy times and triumphs they enjoyed.
With all the sadness, pride, and greed in the world these days, this book is such a refreshing reminder of how important it is to seek Our Savior’s love and His help to forgive others (whether they deserve it or not!)
All the great emotions are present in this beautiful story of a man who is given many, many trials in his life but who also realizes many, many blessings.
I fell in love with the characters portrayed. I felt their pain and heartaches as if they were my own family. But I was also lifted by the happy times and triumphs they enjoyed.
With all the sadness, pride, and greed in the world these days, this book is such a refreshing reminder of how important it is to seek Our Savior’s love and His help to forgive others (whether they deserve it or not!)
May 4, 2025
Really loved this book. The character development is really good & you can really get caught up in the life challenges Daniel experiences. I really liked the way the story begins & ends, and the life of the protagonist, though fictional, will impact the way the reader thinks about life. Highly recommend!
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews