# Mahoudeau — His Masterpiece character guide

> Mahoudeau in His Masterpiece by Émile Zola.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Sandoz of Mahoudeau

**First appearance:** 0001-his-masterpiece

## Snapshot

A sculptor scraping by in a freezing studio, Mahoudeau shares his bed, his stove, and his last jar of olive oil with a rival who once loved the same woman.

## Who they are

Mahoudeau and Chaîne live together in the back shop, surviving on bread dipped in the olive oil Chaîne could not sell, and Mahoudeau narrates their misery with a numb, sardonic calm. He speaks of Chaîne's affair with the herbalist Mathilde without anger, only weariness, and keeps finishing the whiskers on a bust he despises. His quiet endurance of poverty and betrayal shows the reader exactly what the circle's ideals cost when the Salon money never comes.

## In the story

### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/his_masterpiece_se/chapters/iii)

A sculptor who poses for vigour, despising gracefulness yet producing it unconsciously; he feels delighted at the prospect of shocking the public with his work.

### [Chapter XI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/his_masterpiece_se/chapters/xi)

Attends Sandoz's dinner; expresses spite at Fagerolles's troubles and the collapse of the art market.

### [Chapter XII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/his_masterpiece_se/chapters/xii)

Joins the funeral procession late, explaining Gagnière's absence.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/his_masterpiece_se/characters/mahoudeau
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/his_masterpiece_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/his_masterpiece_se/characters