André Derain – Portrait of Paul Guillaume

Because Paul Guillaume's former wife, Domenica, donated so much of the Orangerie's collection, the museum holds an unusually large number of works connected to him. Alongside a portrait of Guillaume painted by Modigliani sits this one by André Derain — two completely different styles of the same man, which can be compared alongside an actual photograph of Guillaume.

Judged purely on likeness, Modigliani's version seems closer to the real man, while Derain's feels more solemn and dignified. Interestingly, Derain was the more popular of the two artists at the time, selling well and living comfortably, while Modigliani, unable to find buyers, remained poor until his death.

Back to the painting itself: by this period, Derain had moved away from the vivid colors of his Fauvist years toward darker tones, and this portrait carries that same subdued mood throughout. A ledger-like book resting on Guillaume's lap signals his profession as an art dealer.