Tuesday, 11 December 1883

Morning: nothing! Afternoon: sketched a little girl's head — five years old, in profile, laughing. My intention is to make five or six heads all laughing. It begins with a baby of eight months, then the little girl of this afternoon. Then Armandine (the dancer — already done), full face in hat and an otter-fur cape with a bunch of violets on her shoulder. Then I shall add a dandy — Bojidar in evening dress sucking his cane — then an innocent young woman, and finally an old man or old woman.

All mounted together in one frame.

"Laughter is proper to man."¹ Very different kinds of laughter might produce something diverting.

And I shall do it like Armandine, very quickly — it would be for a small exhibition...

This evening at dinner, the Bailleul woman and the Zarondskys; the young woman is quite pleasant, and I become animated and deliver speeches on the arts.

Before dinner: the Marshal's wife² and Claire.