Claude Lantier

Claude is the central character of the novel, THE MASTERPIECE, who is the driving force behind a group of friends set on modernizing art and literature to deal with reality. He is a painter who has done some brilliant work that hints at a masterpiece one day coming from his talent. His main problem consists of self-doubt when he gets in front of his canvases. He has the vision but doubts his ability to put the vision down in the form of a masterpiece. Still, he is determined and firmly believes that the day will come when he accomplishes his goals. The group of friends all look to him as a kind of revolutionary guru who will lead them into the new age. Zola admits that he is a composite of some of the great artists of the 19th century living in Paris.

When Christine enters his...