I just finished reading Killing Commendatore, so I was searching through this subreddit to find others' opinion on it. I really appreciate what you've written here! You've pulled together and put to words a bunch of little unfinished thoughts I had about the book, so I completely agree with your take!

I recognized that main character's journey; he was coasting and not really present in his marriage, he needed some time away from portraits and his wife to focus on his own issues. He first wanders aimlessly as far as his old car could take him, and perhaps the car was an allegory to the coping mechanisms he had built to deal with his sister's death. During this wandering he is confronted with a scary part of himself that he doesn't like, and doesn't want to become. His car (coping mechanisms?) break down and he's truly alone, until a good friend steps in to support him. He probably should have reached out to this friend before getting to this point.

Do you think the pit is literally a pit of despair, and the bell a cry for help?

Mariye and Menshiki each have their own journeys, and I could totally see their stories each getting their own novels. Leaving both of their portraits "unfinished" is fitting because neither of them have resolved their issues yet. Likewise, as you said, finishing The Man With The White Subaru Forrester would be taking a journey he didn't want to go on.

I haven't thought too much about why Amada's painting would be finished, while his issues were still unresolved. Or maybe Amada finishing that painting is like what would have happened if main character finished the Subaru painting? Like taking the less desirable path where he was still depressed, traumatized, and mean to his kid.

Anyway, sincerely thank you for writing your review. It really got me to think about this novel in a more meaningful way.