Inspired by Jean-Baptiste Greuze (1725 – 1805) – Head of a smiling girl (1765) – Charcoal / Red chalk on grey paper – 9,45 x 12,60 inch

Beatrice is 10 years old today. Her parents promised her a surprise. Both parents, a whole day together, hardly happens. Has it ever happened once ? Probably a couple of days following their love encounter but again … No guarantee.She woke up early, so early, it’s still night in her bedroom. Therefore she dreams, she wonders, she makes up fairy tales of which she would be the princess.

This happens in the Middle Ages, on market day. Beatrice put on her favorite headdress, that belonged to her paternal grandmother, and escaped through the kitchen door. She took advantage of her mother’s brief lack of attention to escape the screams, the hits, the sour smell of alcohol, vomit and piss. Her father came back home at dawn again, staggering and beating his wife once more. Her mother has so many bruisses now that she doesn’t even bother to hide them anymore. At times like that, Beatrice hides, either under her bed or in the wardrobe of the dining room, by the fireplace. Crossing, she takes her baby brother in her arms. She bothers to carry his teddy bear with her. It is in such a bad shape however it makes him feel safe and falls asleep instantly. Besides, they often remained that way to keep warm, until the wee hours of the morning. After their father had left, they vanished without a sound.

When she arrives at the place of the church, all the traders are already there. They were shouting, they were jostling. Beatrice almost drops on the floor, hastily rushed by a teenager chased by the police for shoplifting.

Beatrice doesn’t feel confortable. She is starting to regret her trip when, as she moves towards a quieter area near the steps of the church, she notices a young boy sitting on the floor, a sheet of paper on his knees, pencils nearby. He draws. She approaches as quietly as possible, she doesn’t want to disturb him. In this racket, she nevertheless detects the crunching of the pencil lead on the paper. Beatrice stands now above his head. And then he becomes aware of her presence. He looks up and simply smiles at her. By focussing more and more on the drawing, she recognizes her portrait!