The artwork “Madame Charles Simart, born Amélie Baltard” is a portrait crafted by the esteemed artist Jean Auguste Dominique Ingres in the year 1857. Belonging to the Neoclassicism art movement, this portrait is a manifestation of the refined and classical aesthetics characteristic of Ingres’s oeuvre. As of the last known status, the artwork is held in a private collection, suggesting its valuation and exclusivity in the realm of art connoisseurship.
The portrait displays a woman rendered with delicate precision, typifying Ingres’s meticulous attention to detail and his celebrated draftsmanship. The subject, Madame Charles Simart, is depicted in a three-quarter view against a nondescript backdrop, which draws the viewer’s attention to her visage and attire. Her expression is serene and contemplative, with subtly rendered eyes that seem to convey an inner calm and confidence. The sitter’s attire is exquisitely detailed, from the ruffled lace collar encircling her neck to the intricate folds of her garment.
Strikingly, Ingres’s finesse is evident in the realistic depiction of textures and the gentle gradations of light and shadow. The economy of line in the portrait betrays a master’s restraint, ensuring that each stroke contributes to the overall harmony and balance of the composition. The careful inscription at the bottom of the artwork provides a personal touch, linking the subject to the artist through a display of mutual esteem. The portrait stands as a testament to Ingres’s legacy and his contribution to the Neoclassical tradition, encapsulating the dignity and grace of its subject through the timeless medium of drawing.