The artwork entitled “Madame Moitessier (study)” is a sketch by the celebrated French artist Jean Auguste Dominique Ingres, dating from the year 1851. This piece belongs to the Neoclassical art movement and serves as a study, reflecting the typical Neoclassical focus on draftsmanship and clarity of form. The artwork, as a sketch and study, is currently housed within a private collection, indicating that it is not on public display and is owned by an individual or entity that prefers to keep it in a non-public domain.
The artwork presents a study of a woman’s face, likely a preparatory work for a more finished portrait. Ingres, known for his meticulous technique and attention to detail, has captured the sitter with both precision and sensitivity. The subject’s visage is rendered with delicate pencil strokes, delineating her eyes, nose, and lips with care, and her cascading hair is suggested with lighter, more fluid lines. The facial expression is serene and the gaze is direct, engaging the viewer with a sense of quiet confidence.
One can note the smoothness of her forehead and the gentle arch of her brows, which are characteristic features of Ingres’s portrait style. Despite the image’s incompleteness, Ingres’s skill in capturing human elegance and grace is evident. The paper’s visible aging and discoloration further emphasize the historical distance between the creation of this piece and the present day, while also adding a layer of texture that informs the artwork’s aged aesthetic. Overall, the artwork stands as a testament to Ingres’s mastery in portraiture and his influential role in the Neoclassical art movement.