James paints a vivid picture of a middle-class artist at work in the story. His unnamed main character is multifaceted: Not only is he a respected member of society, but he is also a leader of the action. He has privileged access to the lives of other characters, like the Monarchs and Miss Churm, as they depend on him as their employer. James gives the artist a dual role that establishes his importance to both narrative and plot. The artist’s first-person voice lends to the story’s realism, providing readers with a unique window into his thoughts and motivations. The artist/narrator’s lack of a name contributes to this ambiguity, which allows him to blend between the dual roles of an artist and narrator. In tandem, he is positioned to manipulate reality and change the appearances of his models via his art. While other characters remain steadfast, he stands firm as the sole protagonist with a captivating ability to shift freely between these identities.

The artist has been captivated by the notion of “the real thing” (145), and the story of his creative failure acts as a symbol for the transformation from a narrow and unchanging identity to one that is avant-garde in its inspiration.