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Portrait d'Ambroise Vollard, 1899

He sits easily in a three piece suit
Of brown flannel, of which the
Breast opens upon a white doublet
And a curt navy bowtie. His back
Is slightly fallen as he leans against
The banquette of dark leather. He
Crooks his right leg over his left
Knee, his hands held loosely in his
Lap. Beneath them, a number of
Slim volumes he seems unaware of.
His face is frank and tired, a brown
Beard rising to his thin cheeks, and
A stoic mustache. His nose as solid
As his brow. His forehead is high,
And catches green and blue where
The clean morning light passes the
Coloured advertisements of the café
Windows. His expression is passive :
He seems almost the image of a man
Listening to the lengthy recitation
Of an old grief, unmoved to choler
Or to sadness. He does not show his
Force. His kindness is his intelligence.