Unicorns

"Unicorns" by James Huneker is a collection of essays from the early 1900s, where the writing looks into the worlds of art, books, and music, thinking about what it means to be creative and what artists are like. Using thoughtful ideas, it talks about both famous historical artists and newer ones, showing a thoughtful look at the fight between idealism and realism in art. The book starts with a beautiful reflection on what a unicorn means, seeing it as a symbol of the divide between what's real and what's imagined. Huneker compares this mythical creature to the power of art to change things, arguing that both stand for important ideals that push people to be their best. The first part highlights why it's important to trust in great things even when life feels ordinary, setting the stage for essays that explore people like Edward MacDowell and Remy de Gourmont, proving how their work still matters in the art world today.