Journal de Marie Bashkirtseff

Gonzales Family

Également connu sous : Gonzales Family

Person people/recurring Basic Mis à jour: 2026-03-06

Research Status: Moderate Last Updated: 2025-12-07 Diary Coverage: Book 00 (1884 retrospective)

Overview

The Gonzales family was an Argentine family that Marie Bashkirtseff encountered in Baden-Baden around 1870. The family eventually became friends with the Bashkirtseffs despite initial misunderstandings involving romantic jealousy.

Family Members

Monsieur de Gonzales ("le pere Gonzales")

Marie describes him as "Republique-argentinais Gonzales" (Argentine Republican Gonzales), suggesting he was involved in Argentine politics or diplomacy.

Characteristics:

  • Initially vain: "Proud" of his perceived romantic conquests
  • Attracted to Marie's mother: "Became in love with maman"
  • Eventually understanding: After "harsh surprises" came to understand Marie's mother's genuine innocence
  • Long-term friend: Despite complications, "became our friend"

Social position: As an Argentine official or diplomat frequenting Baden-Baden, he was part of the international elite circle at the spa resort.

Madame de Gonzales

Characteristics:

  • Jealous: Became jealous of her husband's attention to Marie's mother
  • Cold and cutting: Showed marked coldness ("tres froide") to Marie's mother
  • Sharp-tongued: Made pointed, sarcastic remarks

Notable behavior: At the train station when the family was departing Baden-Baden, she told Marie's mother "in a very pinched manner" that she was "confused to deprive maman of her walk in such beautiful weather" - a cutting remark that Marie recognized as hostile but her mother took as genuine concern.

Remy de Gonzales Moreno

  • Age: 13 years old (in Baden-Baden c. 1870)
  • Primary romantic interest: Berthe Boyd (12)
  • Secondary interest: Flirted with Marie ("me faire de l'oeil")
  • Social connections: Part of the aristocratic children's group

The Comedy of Errors

Marie recounts an "almost incredible trait of naivete" involving the adults:

1. Monsieur's attraction: Marie's mother, "free in her manner," inspired confidence in Monsieur de Gonzales, who became attracted to her 2. Wife's jealousy: Madame de Gonzales became jealous 3. Mother's innocence: Marie's mother befriended Madame de Gonzales "in a frank, easy way" ("a la bonne franquette") 4. Misreading signals: Mother thought the wife must be as charming as the husband, who was so nice to her 5. Doubled efforts: When Madame showed coldness, mother "redoubled her amiability" 6. Train station scene: Even at the farewell, mother missed all the cutting remarks

Marie's retrospective comment: "When I think of it now, remembering the expressions and intonations, it's astounding."

Marie's Sharp Observation

Even as a child (around 11-12 years old), Marie could read social situations her mother couldn't:

  • She recognized Madame de Gonzales's hostility
  • She understood the subtext of the "pinched" remarks
  • She saw her mother's naivete for what it was
  • She perceived the class dynamics at play

This early social intelligence would become one of Marie's defining characteristics.

Evolution to Friendship

Despite the rocky start, the relationship evolved:

  • Monsieur de Gonzales initially attributed success to himself
  • "Harsh surprises" taught him to understand Marie's mother
  • He came to comprehend her genuine innocence and good nature
  • The family "became our friend"

This suggests the Gonzales family may have maintained contact with the Bashkirtseffs beyond Baden-Baden.

Argentine Context

Argentine Elite in 1870s Europe

The Gonzales family represents the Argentine elite's participation in European high society during the 1870s. Many wealthy Argentine families:

  • Sent diplomats and officials to Europe
  • Frequented fashionable spa resorts
  • Maintained cultural and social ties to Europe
  • Often had European heritage or education

"Republique-argentinais"

Marie's description "Republique-argentinais" may refer to:

  • Argentina's republican form of government (as opposed to European monarchies)
  • Monsieur de Gonzales's political affiliation or position
  • His role as representative of the Argentine Republic

Spelling Note

Marie writes "Gonzales" (with grave accent on the 'e'), though "Gonzales" (without accent) is more common in Spanish. This may reflect:

  • French phonetic spelling
  • An actual family preference for the French spelling
  • The family's European orientation

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