The Masterpiece — Part Two
By Joachim Heijndermans
The Artist was unlike any creative mind that ever was and ever would be in this universe. For you see, while it was customary for artists to complete at least one piece of work, the Artist never did. For as long as the peoples across the universe had been aware of his existence, the Artist had been working on one single painting. And considering the size of the canvas, it would have to be some kind of masterpiece beyond description. It just had to be.
“Yes, and what a canvas it is,” the Artist would say, whenever he was complimented on the size of his work. When asked where he'd gotten it, he'd say: “I found it right here on this asteroid. And it's just what I need. Yes, it is perfect for my work.” When asked what that work would be, he'd say: “You'll see it when it's finished. But don't hold your breath. I'm taking my time on this one.”
And take his time he did. Several stars were formed, lived, burned out and died in the time it took for him to prep the surface of his canvas, coating it in a strong layer of gesso canvas primer. The first planets formed in the rampage and chaos of those earlier times, only to meet their ends several millennia before the Artist even made a rough sketch of the general idea that he had. And even after he finished those preparation steps, in the coming times there would be many moments where he would deviate from his original concept, for the bolt of new inspiration would strike when least expected.
With several eons of preparation behind him before even the first stroke of the brush was placed or even the first line of graphite hit the canvas, the Artist had already amassed quite the reputation around the cosmos. Several kings who declared themselves as supreme rulers of the known universe, then several emperors who were forced to put those kings in their place with a good what ho, all flocked to see the Artist work on his masterpiece, trying to outbid one another over whom would come to be the eventual owner of the great work.
All of these gathered bluebloods, their entourage, and their staff waited for the Artist to begin the painting process, waiting far longer than any of them could have ever imagined they would have had to wait. Many of them passed on into the next world long before the rough sketch even neared its completion. Others lost interest and moved onto other things like war, gambling, and collecting little green things found under benches. One even lost their mind over the elongated wait, breaking the neck of their heir in a fit of rage before storming at the Artist with murderous intent, only for their servants to intervene in the nick of time.
During all this, the Artist toiled on, completely ignorant of the goings-on behind him, as he sketched out the first draft of what would be his masterpiece. He only briefly looked away once, when the last of the remaining royals finally gave up on waiting and angrily threw her crown at him, ending the age of disappointment. He was confused at her outburst, then shrugged, turned back to the canvas, and drew.
Joachim Heijndermans is a writer, artist, filmmaker, and SFWA member from the Netherlands. His work has been published in a great number of publications, featured on podcasts and adapted to television and film, including the Netflix animated series 'Love, Death & Robots'.
Copyright © 2025 Joachim Heijndermans