The young man was experiencing that profound emotion which has stirred the hearts of all great artists when, in the prime of youth and their love of art, they approach a man of genius or stand in the presence of a masterpiece.
-- Narrator (Part 1)

Importance: Here, Balzac paves the way for the hidden masterpiece that is to follow. Balzac reveals the arrival of the young man at the artist Porbus’s studio, and the common feeling of inspiration that surrounds all young artists in places of creativity, and speaking with creative people. This is the feeling the young man experiences at the studio of Porbus.

…because you glance now and then at a naked woman standing on a table, you think you’re copying nature –you call yourselves painters and suppose you’ve stolen God’s secrets! …Brrr! A man’s not a great poet just because he knows a little grammar and...
-- Old man (Part 1)