The artwork, “Madame Hippolyte Flandrin, born Aimée Caroline Ancelot,” was crafted by the distinguished artist Jean Auguste Dominique Ingres between 1840 and 1850. This portrait is an exemplar of the Neoclassical art movement and is presently held in a private collection. The genre of the artwork is a portrait, which was a common manifestation of Neoclassicism, where artists often sought to capture the grace and calmness associated with the classical antiquity.
The artwork portrays Madame Hippolyte Flandrin, whose birth name was Aimée Caroline Ancelot. She is depicted with a serene and direct gaze that engages the viewer. Madame Flandrin is adorned in the formal attire of the period, with detailing that reflects the craftsmanship and stylistic precision characteristic of Ingres’s technique. Her attire includes a high-collared dress with pleated sleeves and a belted waist, emphasizing the fashion of the era. Additionally, she wears a pair of gloves, and her hair is styled in a modest fashion, parted at the center and drawn back, which was typical of the time. The artist’s skill is further evidenced in the meticulous rendering of the textures and fabrics, from the sheer sleeves to the intricate lace and the draped folds of her garments.
The drawing medium appears to be graphite or a similar tool, evidenced by the monochromatic shading and fine lines. The background of the artwork is minimalistic, allowing the viewer’s focus to remain on the sitter herself. The overall effect of the work is one of refined elegance and tranquility, hallmarks of Ingres’s portraits and the Neoclassical movement he so adeptly represented.