The artwork titled “Mademoiselle Henriette Ursule Claire, maybe Thevenin, and her dog Trim” is a portrait created by the artist Jean Auguste Dominique Ingres in the year 1816. It exemplifies the Neoclassical art movement and currently resides within a private collection. The genre of this work is portraiture, a discipline in which Ingres was notably proficient, capturing not only the appearance but also the essence of his subjects.
The artwork portrays a young woman, presumably Mademoiselle Henriette Ursule Claire, who may also be surnamed Thevenin, accompanied by her dog, Trim. She stands with an air of gentle refinement, dressed in attire characteristic of the period. The lady wears a wide-brimmed hat and her hair is fashioned with curls framing her face. Her expression is calm and poised, her gaze directed slightly away from the viewer, implying a contemplative or distant focus. The dog, Trim, is held in her arms, suggesting a bond of affection between the pet and its owner. The animal appears alert and attentive, its small size and delicate features forming a harmonious composition with the lady’s grace.
Jean Auguste Dominique Ingres has skillfully captured subtle nuances in both human and animal, employing fine lines to portray details such as fabric texture and facial features. The sense of realism is a credit to Ingres’ neoclassical approach, where classical ideals are merged with a high degree of naturalism. The drawing exhibits the elegance and serenity typical of Ingres’ work, reflecting the values of clarity and simplicity admired during the Neoclassical era.