Head of St. Matthew (1820) by Jean Auguste Dominique Ingres

Head of St. Matthew - Jean Auguste Dominique Ingres - 1820

Artwork Information

TitleHead of St. Matthew
ArtistJean Auguste Dominique Ingres
Date1820
Art MovementNeoclassicism

About Head of St. Matthew

The artwork “Head of St. Matthew” is a significant piece by the respected artist Jean Auguste Dominique Ingres, dated to 1820. Ingres, acclaimed for his contributions to the Neoclassical movement, applied his talents to the genre of religious painting with this work. Characterized by its adherence to classical ideals and thematic significance, Neoclassicism often featured topics drawn from history and mythology, including religious narratives.

The artwork portrays St. Matthew with an intense and contemplative gaze that directs outwards, as if looking beyond the canvas itself. He is shown with a halo, a traditional symbol of sanctity in Christian iconography, signifying his status as a holy figure. His curly hair and thick beard provide a rich textural element to the painting, enhancing the overall depth and realism for which Ingres was known.

St. Matthew is depicted in profile, and his facial features are rendered with meticulous attention to detail, allowing onlookers to engage with the apostle’s solemn and introspective mood. Clad in a red garment, the choice of color could be an allusion to sacrifice and passion, themes often associated with the life and martyrdom of Christian saints. The artist’s expert use of chiaroscuro imbues the painting with a three-dimensional quality, highlighting the saint’s physiognomy and the folds of his attire.

Composed during a period when European art was dominated by a rekindled interest in classical aesthetics, Ingres’s “Head of St. Matthew” stands as a testament to the remarkable skill with which he navigated the Neoclassical style, honoring its principles while infusing it with a profound spiritual dimension.

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