This "visual" art theatre based on the short story by Marguerite Yourcenar has a startling atmosphere and charm in the version by Isabelle Durand. The story of a fantastic painter and an evil emperor seems to be her story as well.
The emperor envies painter´s rich inner world, makes him blind and orders to cut his hands. The painter is allowed to finish his last picture. The painting is so beautiful that it becomes reality and hides the painter inside.