Unfinished Portraits: Stories of Musicians and Artists

"Unfinished Portraits: Stories of Musicians and Artists" by Jennette Lee is a series of short stories that give us a peek into the lives of famous musicians and artists and was written in the early 20th century. The book looks at the challenges these people face in their work and their relationships with others. In the first story, we meet a painter in Florence trying to finish a portrait of a woman named Lisa. Another man shows up and complains about how long the painting is taking. The beginning scene shows a complicated connection between the artist and the subject, highlighting ideas about being obsessed and what art is. We see a push and pull between wanting to create something great and the unsteadiness of the woman he's painting. The story is layered with Florence during the Renaissance, making it a fascinating start to the stories.