Bégéarss, from ''The guilty mother'' 1876

Émile Bayard created this image of Bégearss for “The Guilty Mother,” using line drawing and watercolor to construct a figure caught in contemplation. The subject's formal attire, a vibrant pink coat trimmed with gold, black, and white, immediately draws the eye. The precision of line and wash suggests Bayard's careful attention to detail. The composition presents Bégearss from head to toe, using color to emphasize his emotional tension. His boots are immaculate, yet his eyes are downcast, hand to chin, and the bow at his hip seems deflated, all of which subtly destabilize the image of aristocratic stoicism. Semiotically, these may be read as signs of internal conflict, contrasting with the overt display of status. The artwork prompts us to consider how outward appearances can mask inner turmoil. By contrasting a formal exterior with subdued expression, the artist achieves a level of psychological complexity. The subject's gaze, rather than engaging directly with the viewer, turns inward, reinforcing the thematic focus on the internal landscape of moral reckoning.