Lumley, The Painter (1891)

The novel follows Lumley, a gifted but insecure artist striving for success in the late 19th-century art scene. As he navigates the challenges of ambition and creativity, he encounters various personalities, including fellow artists and affluent patrons. His journey is further complicated by a romantic entanglement with a woman engaged to another. Themes of aspiration, love, and the complexities of the art world are woven throughout, providing a rich exploration of an artist's struggles and the societal dynamics of the time.