The Artist of the Beautiful by Nathaniel Hawthorne
"The Artist of the Beautiful" is a short story by Nathaniel Hawthorne that explores themes of artistic aspiration, the struggle between beauty and utility, and the nature of creativity. The protagonist, Owen Warland, is a young man with exceptional talent in creating intricate designs, particularly in watchmaking. However, his artistic vision diverges from practical expectations, leading to conflicts with his master, Peter Hovenden, who values utility over artistic expression. Owen's pursuit of beauty culminates in a desire to create an object indistinguishable from nature, specifically a butterfly.
As Owen grapples with personal relationships and societal pressures, including his affection for Annie Hovenden and his rivalry with Robert Danforth, he experiences moments of despair that challenge his artistic ambitions. Despite setbacks, Owen ultimately creates a stunning butterfly as a wedding gift for Annie, symbolizing his artistic triumph. However, the story concludes with a poignant moment when the beauty of his creation is destroyed by an innocent child, highlighting the fragility of artistic achievement in a world that may not fully appreciate it. Through this narrative, Hawthorne invites readers to reflect on the dichotomy between artistic idealism and societal values.
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The Artist of the Beautiful by Nathaniel Hawthorne
First published: 1844
Type of plot: Allegory
Time of work: About 1840
Locale: New England
Principal Characters:
Owen Warland , the protagonist, a watchmaker, dreamer, and the artist of the beautifulPeter Hovenden , his former employer, now a retired watchmakerAnnie Hovenden , Peter's daughter, whom Owen lovesRobert Danforth , a blacksmith, Owen's childhood friend and rival for Annie's hand
The Story
Even as a child, Owen Warland enjoyed carving intricate figures of birds and flowers and showed mechanical ability. Hence, he is apprenticed to Peter Hovenden, a master watchmaker, with whom, his relatives hope, he will be able to make practical use of his delicate talents.
Peter, however, is not impressed with Owen's character. He recognizes his apprentice's considerable talents but senses that Owen does not care to apply them in a conventional way. When failing eyesight forces Peter to surrender his shop to Owen, the young man confirms his master's fears. Owen's business declines because his customers do not appreciate the way he trifles with their beloved timepieces, which he tends to embellish fancifully.
Far from regretting this lack of customers, Owen rejoices in the free time he now has to pursue his goal of creating an object so like its natural original that it will be indistinguishable from it. The first attempt fails after Robert Danforth comes to deliver a small forge ordered from the blacksmith. Danforth's brute strength so disturbs Owen that he carelessly demolishes the artifact.
For some months Owen returns to watchmaking, abandoning any artistic pretense. Slowly, however, he recovers his interest in his project and is about to begin again when Peter visits him. His former master's skepticism toward anything lacking utilitarian value so upsets Owen that he relinquishes his dream.
In the summer he once more takes up his task but again he is frustrated, this time by Annie Hovenden, who has come to his shop to have her thimble repaired. Owen loves her and wonders whether she might be a worthy partner for him. She provides the answer by touching Owen's delicate device, thus ruining it. Enraged and disappointed, Owen sends her away and resigns himself to a winter of dissipation.
With the return of spring, Owen resumes work on the intricate device. One evening Peter comes to tell him of Annie's engagement to Robert Danforth. Though Owen does not betray his disappointment to Peter, he himself destroys the mechanism in a fit of despair. For a while he ridicules his former dream of rivaling nature, but at last he decides to produce his imitation as a wedding gift for Annie.
By the time he delivers the present, Annie and Robert already have a child. As Annie, Robert, Peter, and the child look on, Owen opens an elegantly carved ebony box; out flutters a butterfly, more beautiful than any to be found in the woods or meadows. Although all admire Owen's handiwork, none recognizes its true genius. As it hovers about the room, the infant grabs it and crushes it in his fist. Owen is not troubled, though, for in creating the butterfly he had achieved his dream.
Bibliography
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