Alain Claude Sulzer explores existential questions about friendship and goodbyes, (homo)sexuality, art and fame through the shared life story of two very different men.
They grow up like brothers in the Ruhr area of the seventies. But unlike the narrator, Frank is drawn out into the world at an early age: he wants to live as an artist, decides to go to New York, paints obsessively, but without success. Only when he is terminally ill does he return to his hometown.
After a long time, the friends meet for the last time on Frank's deathbed. As different as their lives are, the bond forged in childhood is deep. After Frank's death, the narrator keeps receiving his paintings; well-packed, they arrive at his door. However, they remain alien to him, just like Frank's homosexuality.
Decades later, by chance, the narrator discovers Frank's paintings in a gallery. It is a mystery how they got there - and what a strange attraction they have: The art world celebrates the unknown painter as a genius, and the narrator finally recognizes the fascination that emanates from his friend's works. And what's more, he recognizes himself in the large-format painting of a naked man.
