Bubu and Berthe at Lunch (Le Dejeuner de Bubu et de Berthe) c. 1927 - 1929

André Dunoyer de Segonzac created this etching titled Bubu and Berthe at Lunch, capturing an intimate scene laden with profound symbolism. Here, we observe a man and woman sharing a meal with a bottle of wine, an everyday scene but also a tableau of existential questioning. The image's melancholic mood and the presence of wine—a symbol of both communion and intoxication—speak to a deeper psychological narrative. One may be reminded of similar scenes depicted in Dutch still life paintings, in which wine often alluded to the transience of life and the allure of worldly pleasures. The act of sharing a meal, however, has even more ancient roots: communal meals in ancient Greece represented togetherness and family, while in Christian tradition, it is seen in iconic pieces like the Last Supper. The woman's downward gaze evokes introspection and perhaps sorrow. This posture reminds us of the classical iconography of mourning figures. The image, therefore, is a powerful reflection on human relationships and inner turmoil. It shows the eternal dance between shared experiences and individual solitude.