Sacha Guitry in His Dressing Room 1912

Édouard Vuillard made this painting of Sacha Guitry in his dressing room using oil on canvas. Look at how the scene is bathed in a soft, diffuse light, creating an intimate and contemplative atmosphere. Vuillard had a way of capturing these quiet, in-between moments, didn't he? I imagine him, brush in hand, observing Guitry in his private space, maybe thinking about the performative nature of identity. The way we all put on a show, even when we think no one is watching. The vertical stripes of the wallpaper and the mirror frame create a rhythm, almost like musical notes. It reminds me of other painters, like Bonnard, who were also interested in the poetry of everyday life. Artists are always in dialogue, picking up where others left off, adding their own voice to the chorus. It’s like we are all in this conversation about what it means to be human, one brushstroke at a time. The beautiful messiness of oil paint allows for ambiguity, reflecting the multifaceted nature of identity itself.