The artist is the least dynamic of the characters, and the results of his obsessive nature and devotion to his craft contain the lesson of the story. He is a well-respected and exceptionally gifted painter who refuses to compromise his work even for the sake of his new wife. As an artist, he is originally drawn to the young lady because of his appreciation for beauty and vitality. By painting her portrait, he attempts to capture these qualities in a work of art. According to those who see the painting in process, the artist is succeeding in his attempt. However, the irony is that by pouring life into the painting, he drains the life from the subject, his wife. The artist devotes every ounce of his energy to his craft, demonstrating that he believes religiously in the power of art. He is therefore unrelenting in his pursuit, and his obsession with it prompts him to ignore his wife’s weakening health. He remains unchanged and convinced of his purpose until the last possible second when satisfaction turns to horror at what he has done. He realizes the lesson too late: his obsession has resulted a singular focus on one beautiful object at the expense of everything else he holds dear.