The artwork “Cardboard window of the Chapel of St. Ferdinand. St. Philip the Apostle” is a religious painting by Jean Auguste Dominique Ingres, dated to 1842. Reflecting the Neoclassical movement, this piece measures 210 by 92 centimeters. It was crafted with the intention of serving a spiritual or contemplative purpose, specifically within the context of the Chapel of St. Ferdinand.
The artwork prominently features St. Philip the Apostle, who is rendered with a graceful gravitas characteristic of Ingres’ style. The saint stands erect, occupying the full height of the panel, with his right hand poised in a gesture of teaching or blessing. His expression is solemn, reflecting a sense of divine inspiration or inner contemplation.
St. Philip is depicted within an arch that frames him, adorned with intricate patterns and motifs that are evocative of the ecclesiastical designs from the era in which Ingres painted this work. Above his haloed head, a small circular window or medallion can be seen, shining with a radiant light suggestive of the divine. The palette is subdued, utilizing shades that echo the natural hues of the cardboard medium, lending the artwork a subdued and stately appearance. The base of the figure panel is inscribed with the name “PHILIPPUS APOSTOLUS,” solidifying the identity of the saint and grounding the representation in liturgical tradition. The meticulous attention to detail and the adherence to Neoclassical canons of order, harmony, and proportion illustrate why Ingres was revered as a master of his craft.
