Werther Courting Mademoiselle de B to Forget Charlotte Antoine Calbet (1860-1944)

The drawing presents a scene of apparent courtship, rendered in a loose, sketch-like style with evident charcoal and pastel markings. A man, dressed in a blue coat adorned with gold detailing, leans intently towards a seated woman. His posture suggests an eagerness or perhaps a degree of awkwardness; his hand is positioned near her arm, creating a sense of tentative physical proximity. The woman, clad in a flowing pink gown, holds a fan to her face, obscuring part of her expression. Her body language appears less receptive than the man’s – she seems withdrawn, almost resigned, rather than actively engaged in the interaction.
The setting is indistinct, appearing as an interior space with blurred architectural elements receding into shadow. This lack of specificity contributes to a sense of detachment and focuses attention on the figures themselves. The limited tonal range – primarily shades of gray and pink – further emphasizes this focus, preventing any distraction from the central dynamic between the two individuals.
Subtleties within the composition hint at underlying tensions. The woman’s averted gaze and the shielding action of her fan suggest a reluctance or discomfort with the mans advances. It is possible to interpret her posture as an attempt to deflect his attention, perhaps indicating a prior emotional entanglement that she seeks to escape. The man’s leaning position could be read not merely as affection but also as a form of persistence, even intrusion.
The drawing’s style – characterized by its rapid execution and lack of meticulous detail – contributes to the overall feeling of immediacy and psychological complexity. It avoids sentimentality, instead presenting a moment fraught with unspoken emotions and potential conflict. The sketch-like quality lends itself to an impression of observation rather than idealization, suggesting that the artist is documenting a scene of human interaction with a degree of critical distance.