 and dates from 1881, and is part of a series of seven portraits of Richard Gallo, one of the best childhood friends of the artist, composed between 1878 and 1884.This portrait of 1881 shows a young man dressed elegantly in black, which contrasts with the muted colors of the sofa's fabric.The social position of the portrait subject, a member of the big bourgeoisie and the son of a banker, is suggested by the refinement of the decoration with gilded woodwork, the expensive fabric of the sofa, the care of his costume and the confident but reserved attitude he observes, arms crossed with a newspaper unfolded on the left thigh.