Twenty Heartbeats

A wealthy man wishes to have a painting of his favorite horse. He commissions Homan, whose paintings of horses were so lifelike that "real horses whinnied if they saw them; flies tried to land on the brushstrokes of their skin." The wealthy man expects results quickly, but weeks, months, and years pass with only one vague reassurance: "I am progressing well." After eight anxious years, the wealthy man confronts Homan, demanding his painting. What he sees changes his life. Full-color illustrations.