MWW Artwork of the Day (1/20/22) Pascal Dagnan-Bouveret (French, 1852–1929) Bouderie (Gustave Courtois in His Studio)(1880) Oil on canvas, 48.3 x 63.5 cm. Private Collection
"Bouderie" (Sulking) offers intriguing new insight into Dagnan-Bouveret's early career. Slumped on a tapestry-covered sofa, resting against several finely embroidered pillows, Courtois holds a well-used palette, brushes and a maulstick. At the other end of the sofa sits the enigmatic figure of a woman dressed completely in black. Given the setting, it would stand to reason that the two figures' relationship is as artist and model (the black costume could also suggest she is a mourning patron, commissioning a memorial portrait of a lost loved one). Yet they sit as far apart as possible, neither looking toward one another, or with any other easily identifiable connection. While it is yet to be determined if the present title of "Bouderie (Sulking)" was the artist's original, it does add resonance to the physical and psychological dissonance of the figures. The stiff posture of the woman suggests she may be unhappy with the artist's likeness, her demands reaching an exhausted Courtois (who wears a slight, sly smile).
