Le Muguet du Métro

Robert Doisneau

1953

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The man stands holding a bottle in his hand, The woman and young boy sit in front of the fire with grieving expressions. The young girl stands behind them looking down at a small, partially open coffin.
The paintings represents an allegory of music. Two tightly clustered men, a boy, and a woman shown at bust-length are singing from two sheets with musical notations and a book. The woman may be Euterpe, the muse of Music from ancient Greek mythology; she wears flowers in her hair. Central to the painting is the Black man who is looking back at the viewer. He is wearing a feathered turban and pearl earrings
A large baptistry sits off center in the composition on a two stepped pedestal. It is topped by a sculpted figure of Jesus. A figure kneels in prayer in the shadowy background.
The circumcision takes place amidst a crowd of people inside a church. A candlebearer on left carries a tall, braided candlestick.