Count Muffat Discovers Nana with the Marquis de Chouard (1915)

This captivating artwork by Charles Demuth, created in 1915, illustrates a scene inspired by Émile Zola's novel, "Nana". This piece vividly captures the moment from the narrative when Count Muffat discovers his mistress, Nana, with another of her lovers, the Marquis de Chouard. Demuth's painting is a rich tableau, filled with expressive colors and dynamic forms that convey the emotional intensity and complexity of the scene.The composition features three key figures: Nana is depicted lounging provocatively, embodying both allure and disdain, her figure rendered in sinuous lines and bold, fleshly tones. The Marquis, seated at her side, is captured in profile with a somewhat obscured face, suggesting his secondary role in the drama or perhaps his clandestine presence. Grandly entering the scene is Count Muffat, portrayed in a darker, almost silhouette-like form, which communicates his shock and dismay.The background and surrounding elements are painted with a loose, almost abstract quality, swirling around the figures and emphasizing the turbulent emotions swirling through the room. Objects like a fruit bowl, a candle lantern, and playful, almost menacing cat figures on the floor contribute to the sense of a chaotic, sensuous environment.Demuth’s use of watercolor enhances the dreamlike quality of the scene, making "Count Muffat Discovers Nana with the Marquis de Chouard" not just a narrative depiction but an exploration of color, emotion, and expression.