The subjects are numerous, varied, sometimes obvious, often caricatured but also enigmatic. Some of the drawings are also preparatory, which sometimes makes it possible to follow the evolution of the projects in Bazille's mind.

It seems that the drawings in the album RF 5260 point out  Bazille's beginnings. Apart from the Study of Dog, which  appears in The Family Gathering, none of the drawings are here really datable. On the other hand, the album RF 5259 contains quite a few preparatory drawings for works after 1866, so easy to date.

"It is the entire imagination and life of the young artist that we follow in these albums", writes Perrin in the presentation of the albums in the 2016-2017 exhibition catalogue [Perrin, p. 258]. Thus, we find scenes of daily life but also erotic drawings, sketches of animals as well as a good number of enigmatic drawings represented by caricatures. Finally, sketches of literary, historical or even musical inspiration cannot escape us. Mozart's Don Juan, Shakespeare's Hamlet are all sources of inspiration for him.

We will never know if these albums have been used by other artists, a hypothesis that the 2016-2017 exhibition catalogue proposes. No doubt we should see it as an explanation for their different styles. This reminds us of the different styles of Bazille's paintings during his short life. But isn't it the vocation of an album of drawings to serve as essays for various projects?

The many preparatory drawings that appear in album 5259 confirm a later dating. The Ramparts at Aigues-Mortes, The Family Gathering, Summer Scene and Ruth and Booz... so many drawings that allow this album to be dated later than the first one with certainty. Bazille then appears more masterful in his technique and more mature in his subjects.

Bazille's drawings are never dated. The albums are of identical size. We give each the dimensions of each sheet, namely: 21,7 x 29,3 cm but, in reality, the drawings constantly vary according to the subjects.

Should we see in these albums the image of Bazille's deep nature? For lack of being able to assert it, we will say they point out various aspects of Bazille's inspiration.