Godard

Overview

A young man in Marie's Nice social circle during summer 1875. Initially shy and reserved, Marie notes he is "not as stupid as he looks" as he warms up during parlor games (July 13, 1875).

Identity

• Maurice Godard: Marie and he sign a joke letter "M.B. M.G. Marie Bashkirtseff, Maurice Godard" (037/1875-07-21); her verse portrait calls him "Maurice-Godard-Decrais ... Fils du préfet, on le tolère" (039/1875-08-21).
• Stepson of the prefect: "Godard, le beau-fils de Decrais, préfet d'ici" (034/1875-06-12); Marie also says "le fils du préfet" (035.0206). Albert Decrais was prefect of the Alpes-Maritimes from 11 November 1874 to March 1876 (Wikipedia, "Albert Decrais").
• Age: eighteen and a half in July 1875, sitting the baccalauréat (037/1875-07-19).
• "Désiré": Marie's nickname for him from 3 July 1875 ("je désire tout haut Godard et je l'ai nommé Désiré", 035.0158); he is presented to her at the bal champêtre of 4 July (035.0191).
• The comte d'Etienne de Robillard, named beside "Désiré" in 035.0191, is a different man ("un mélange de Godard et de Robillard", 053/1876-02-10).
• Maurice Godard Decrais is an empty stub for the same person (no tags point at it; 039/1875-08-21 lists it in frontmatter only).

Role in Marie's Life

• Attends the bal champêtre (July 11, 1875) and evening gatherings at Marie's home
• Part of Marie's broader circle alongside Audiffret, Saetone, Chevalier
• Butt of a joke during the "fossette" game: told he would dive headfirst into the sea fully clothed for Marie's dimple

July 1875 (carnet 037)

• Marie calls him "Désiré" (also "mon adorable Désiré", 037.0161). Deciding lines: 037.0345-0346 "Désiré me dit adieu ... Mademoiselle reviendra pour vous voir, M. Godard, dit Saetone"; and the question "s'il passerait bachelier" (037.0161) is answered at 037.0331, "Godard ... a su qu'il a été reçu bachelier" (21 July 1875).
• Forename Maurice: the joke letter to Leclerc is signed "M.B. M.G. Marie Bashkirtseff, Maurice Godard" (037.0333; the printed edition has «Bachkirtseff»). Possibly the same person as the stub MAURICE_GODARD_DECRAIS (unresearched); not merged.
• Leaves Nice on 22 July, returning in November; Marie plans to come back with her aunt for the races (037.0345).
• Marie paints him with bow, arrow, quiver and pink wings (a Cupid) in her caricature of 23 July (037.0383).

Research Notes

• First name unknown; minor social acquaintance