The artwork, titled “General Louis-Etienne Dulong de Rosnay,” is an exquisite example of Neoclassical portraiture executed in leadpoint on paper by the esteemed artist Jean Auguste Dominique Ingres in the year 1818. Currently held within a private collection, this artwork captures the essence of its era and the movement it represents, adhering to the stylistic and thematic preferences of Neoclassicism.
In the artwork, a figure of a military man is portrayed standing in a confident pose, with his body slightly turned toward the viewer and his head facing forward, meeting the gaze of the onlooker with a direct and self-assured expression. The subject is dressed in detailed military attire, replete with embellishments and medals that reflect his rank and honors. In his left hand, he holds a hat adorned with feathers, which lends a touch of elegance to the overall composition.
Beneath the figure, the artist has skillfully sketched a panoramic view that adds context and a sense of place to the portrait. The cityscape, with its architectural details, suggests a landscape that may be significant to the subject’s identity or achievements. The delicate lines and meticulous attention to detail underscore Ingres’s mastery of the medium, providing an insightful glimpse into the character and accomplishments of General Louis-Etienne Dulong de Rosnay.