Boris Anrep in his Studio, 65 Boulevard Arago - Pierre Roy

A surrealist interior study by Pierre Roy, depicting the studio of mosaicist Boris Anrep with a plaster bust and scattered tesserae.

This painting by Pierre Roy depicts the studio of the Russian mosaicist Boris Anrep, located at 65 Boulevard Arago in Paris. Roy, a French painter associated with the Surrealist movement, employs a precise, almost clinical technique to render the interior space. The composition is dominated by a large, pale plaster bust of Anrep, which sits upon a wooden stool in the foreground. This sculptural element creates a sense of stillness, contrasting with the surrounding environment.

The studio walls are adorned with various framed works, creating a mise-en-abyme effect where paintings appear within the painting. A door stands slightly ajar, revealing a glimpse of an exterior space, which adds a layer of spatial ambiguity common in Roy's work. To the right, a cast-iron stove stands against the wall, grounding the scene in a tangible, domestic reality. In the foreground, a table holds a collection of small, coloured mosaic tesserae arranged in a fluted container and scattered across the surface. These materials directly reference Anrep's professional practice.

Roy's approach to this subject is characteristic of his style, which often involves the juxtaposition of disparate objects within a quiet, ordered setting. The lighting is even and cool, contributing to the detached, observational quality of the image. By focusing on the tools and environment of the artist, Roy provides a portrait that relies on objects and atmosphere rather than traditional likeness. The muted colour palette, dominated by earthy tones and shadows, reinforces the contemplative mood of the studio. This work offers a view into the creative process of a contemporary, capturing the physical remnants of artistic labour within a structured, dreamlike space.