In the middle of the summer Lautrec waited a great, real joy. Having printed a drawing from the composition “The Hangover, or the Drunkard”, Lautrec presented it to his distant relatives, a certain Dio who lived on Frosjo Street, 6. Coming from Lille, Dio – the brothers Desiree and Henri and Sister Marie – were musicians. Marie gave music and singing lessons.
Desiree – then he was over sixty – played a bassoon in the Opera Orchestra and, in addition, he composed music. He was the author of many songs performed in Sha Noir. Lautrec was a frequent visitor in their apartment on the fourth floor, but he was attracted not by the talents of the hosts, but the pictures of Degas that they were friends with were hung with them. On one of them – “Musicians in the orchestra” – the artist depicted Desiree Dio in the foreground, two more were portraits of Marie, to which Degas was said to have tender feelings twenty years ago. “My cruel friend,” he wrote to her in 1872. Dio were very nice, simple and modest people. To “Monsieur Degas” they treated with deep respect.
Lautrec shared their feelings and came to them to enjoy the paintings of the great master, who were the true adornment of their modest apartment. Often Lautrec brought with him a friend, sometimes several. And once Degas, seeing Dio’s drawing of Lautrec, examined him for a long time, then sadly remarked: “To think, this was done by a young man, and we have worked so hard all our life!” These words Degas conveyed to Lautrec. He was happy and proud. Now, if he could meet Degas! This is his dream. Marie Dio undertook to arrange a date. A few days later Lautrec was invited to the workshop of Degas. Lautrec was very satisfied when he heard compliments from Degas, but they did not meet again. Degas did not belong to the number of people who are looking for acquaintances.
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