The artwork entitled “Madame Alexandre Lethiere, born Rosa Meli, and her daughter, Letizia” is a neoclassical portrait crafted by the esteemed artist Jean Auguste Dominique Ingres. The piece is a testament to Ingres’s finesse in the neoclassical tradition, reflecting the values and aesthetics associated with the movement. Notably, this portrait is held in a private collection, and it exemplifies the intimate and formal nature of portraiture during that era.
The artwork depicts a serene scene of a mother and her young daughter. The mother, who is the focal point of the portrait, is portrayed with an air of poised elegance. Her countenance exhibits a gentle yet refined grace, characteristic of neoclassical portraiture, where idealized beauty and composure were celebrated. Her hair is styled in an intricate array of curls and loops typical of the period’s fashion, complemented by what appears to be a lace embellishment around her neck, suggestive of her social status.
Beside her, a small child rests upon what might be a cushion or a part of the mother’s attire. The infant, presumably Letizia, gazes outward with an innocent and placid expression, seemingly oblivious to the artist’s presence. The subtle detail in the child’s facial features and clothing conveys a sense of delicate innocence that contrasts with, and yet enhances, the mother’s dignified presence.
The use of light and shadow, although subtle in this monochromatic sketch, suggests the artist’s skill in creating depth and texture, particularly evident in the folds of fabric and the facial features of the subjects. Ingres’s methodical pencil strokes capture the softness of both figures, indicating his mastery in rendering human likeness with intimacy and precision. The unfinished quality of the artwork, with sections less defined, provides a glimpse into the artist’s process and lends a sense of immediacy to the viewer’s experience of the portrait.