# Sandoz — His Masterpiece character guide > Sandoz in His Masterpiece by Émile Zola. **Role:** supporting **Also known as:** Pierre Sandoz, M. Sandoz, Madame Sandoz **First appearance:** 0001-his-masterpiece ## Snapshot A novelist and Claude's oldest friend, Sandoz is the steady center of the artist circle, the one who schemes walks and dinners to keep his companions from drowning. ## Who they are Sandoz works methodically at his novels while his friends burn out around him, and he carries their survival as a personal errand, dragging Claude from his easel and taking notes for fiction on the same afternoon. Christine appeals to him directly to save her 'big sick child of an artist,' and he answers without hesitation. His loyalty and his clear-eyed pity make him the moral spine of the group, the man who remembers what they all promised each other in the beginning. ## Relationships ### [Claude Lantier](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/his_masterpiece_se/characters/claude_lantier) _friendship_ Claude and Sandoz share a deep, supportive friendship as fellow artists and intellectuals, with Sandoz often acting as Claude's confidant and moral anchor. ### [Jory](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/his_masterpiece_se/characters/jory) _friendship_ Jory and Sandoz are friends within the same bohemian artist group, though Sandoz often finds Jory's shallow opportunism tiresome. ### [Christine](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/his_masterpiece_se/characters/christine) _friendship_ Christine and Sandoz have a cordial, sympathetic friendship, as Sandoz is one of the few who understands her suffering with Claude. ### [Dubuche](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/his_masterpiece_se/characters/dubuche) _friendship_ Dubuche and Sandoz remain friends from their youth, though Dubuche's conventional life contrasts with Sandoz's artistic dedication. ### [Fagerolles](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/his_masterpiece_se/characters/fagerolles) _friendship_ Fagerolles and Sandoz are former friends whose relationship cools as Fagerolles prioritizes commercial success over artistic integrity. ### [Mathilde](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/his_masterpiece_se/characters/mathilde) _social_ Mathilde and Sandoz are acquaintances within the bohemian circle, with Sandoz treating her kindly but distantly. ### [Claude Lantier](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/his_masterpiece_se/characters/claude_lantier) _friendship_ Claude and Sandoz share a deep, supportive friendship as fellow artists and intellectuals, with Sandoz often acting as Claude's confidant and moral anchor. ### [Claude Lantier](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/his_masterpiece_se/characters/claude_lantier) _friendship_ Claude and Sandoz share a deep, supportive friendship as fellow artists and intellectuals, with Sandoz often acting as Claude's confidant and moral anchor. ### [Jory](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/his_masterpiece_se/characters/jory) _friendship_ Jory and Sandoz are friends within the same bohemian artist group, though Sandoz often finds Jory's shallow opportunism tiresome. ### [Jory](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/his_masterpiece_se/characters/jory) _friendship_ Jory and Sandoz are friends within the same bohemian artist group, though Sandoz often finds Jory's shallow opportunism tiresome. ### [Dubuche](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/his_masterpiece_se/characters/dubuche) _friendship_ Dubuche and Sandoz remain friends from their youth, though Dubuche's conventional life contrasts with Sandoz's artistic dedication. ### [Mathilde](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/his_masterpiece_se/characters/mathilde) _social_ Mathilde and Sandoz are acquaintances within the bohemian circle, with Sandoz treating her kindly but distantly. ## In the story ### [His Masterpiece](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/his_masterpiece_se/chapters/his-masterpiece) A loyal friend and fellow artist, who poses for Claude and offers encouragement amidst the struggles. ### [Chapter II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/his_masterpiece_se/chapters/ii) Poses for the foreground figure in Claude's painting. He is a childhood friend from Plassans, now a clerk supporting his mother, and dreams of literary glory. He listens thoughtfully to Claude's theories and shares memories of their school days. ### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/his_masterpiece_se/chapters/iii) The host of the gathering, happy and smiling at the unity of his friends, opening bottles of beer and fostering camaraderie. ### [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/his_masterpiece_se/chapters/v) Sandoz supports Claude, taking his arm and leading him through the galleries, and later examines Mahoudeau's sculpture with Claude. ### [Chapter VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/his_masterpiece_se/chapters/vi) Reunites with Claude after a long separation, visiting him in the countryside and rekindling their friendship. ### [Chapter VII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/his_masterpiece_se/chapters/vii) Hosts the dinner where the group discusses Fagerolles's success; assists his wife Henriette in clearing the table. ### [The Salon's Triumph and Humiliation](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/his_masterpiece_se/chapters/x) Sandoz is mentioned as Claude's friend who accompanied him to the Salon, though Claude ultimately goes alone. ### [Chapter XI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/his_masterpiece_se/chapters/xi) Grieves his mother's death; achieves literary success and rents a new flat; tries to help Claude by taking him on walks; hosts the Thursday dinner where tensions emerge. ### [Chapter XII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/his_masterpiece_se/chapters/xii) Arranges Claude's funeral, showing grief and handling all the formalities. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/his_masterpiece_se/characters/sandoz - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/his_masterpiece_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/his_masterpiece_se/characters