Werther Reading to Charlotte Antoine Calbet (1860-1944)

The drawing presents a domestic interior scene centered around two figures engaged in a shared literary experience. A young man sits on a chair, leaning forward slightly as he reads from a book held in his hands. He is dressed in what appears to be formal attire – a jacket with decorative buttons and breeches – suggesting a degree of social standing or occasion. Facing him, seated on an ornate sofa, is a woman who seems deeply absorbed in the narrative being presented. Her posture conveys a sense of melancholy; her head is bowed, eyes downcast, and her expression appears pensive, perhaps even sorrowful. She wears a flowing gown with a vibrant sash that provides a focal point of color within the otherwise muted palette.
The setting itself contributes to the overall mood. The room seems intimate, defined by architectural details like a fireplace and tall windows allowing diffused light to enter. These elements create an atmosphere of quiet contemplation and privacy. The artist has employed a loose, sketch-like technique, using charcoal or graphite to render forms with a degree of fluidity and immediacy. Lines are not sharply delineated; instead, they blend and overlap, contributing to the impression of movement and emotional intensity.
Subtleties in the composition hint at underlying tensions. The man’s forward lean suggests an eagerness to communicate, while the womans withdrawn posture implies a certain distance or perhaps a vulnerability that she is attempting to shield. The choice of literature – a narrative likely filled with romantic longing and tragic consequences – further enriches the scene’s subtext. It is plausible to interpret this as a depiction of unrequited affection, where one individual attempts to share their emotional world with another who may be unable or unwilling to reciprocate fully. The drawings overall effect is one of restrained emotion and unspoken longing, capturing a moment of shared experience tinged with melancholy and perhaps even a sense of foreboding.