Art and the artistic temperament is a recurring thread throughout the novel, though aside from Goldman’s blended role as author and character, the story does not focus on “artists” in the traditional sense, nor the place of traditional art forms in society. However, many of the central characters, including Goldman himself, have crafts or skill sets that they approach as artists or through an artistic lens. The clearest example of this is Inigo’s father, Domingo Montoya, who actively rejects the word “artist”: “Not yet. A craftsman only. But I dream to be an artist” (92). In a classic case of the pitfalls of wishing, Domingo has a chance to fulfill this dream and create a truly unique work of art. However, this creation becomes his undoing when his client views his work not as art but as a commodity: “Art was involved and you saw only money. Beauty was here for the taking and you saw only your fat purse” (97). Domingo’s last words are “You’re an enemy of art and I pity your ignorance” (97); he dies standing up for his beliefs.

Ironically, Domingo’s killer is also an artist in his own way. Count Ruben is not an enemy of art, but he does not understand that Domingo approached his artistry with the same level of precision and care as he does his Machine.