The artwork “Mademoiselle Jeanne Gonin” was created in 1821 by the distinguished artist Jean Auguste Dominique Ingres. It is an oil on canvas portrait firmly rooted in the Neoclassical movement, a style characterized by clear, elegant lines and a revival of classical themes and aesthetics. This particular painting measures 59.1 cm by 76.2 cm and is housed in the Taft Museum of Art located in Cincinnati, Ohio, United States. As a genre, the work is classified as a portrait, being a representation of an individual where the face and its expression is predominant.
In the artwork, the subject, Mademoiselle Jeanne Gonin, is portrayed from the waist up against a muted brown background which serves to focus the viewer’s attention on her. The young woman’s gaze meets the viewer directly, with her dark eyes conveying a sense of calm and introspection. The artist captures a lifelike representation of her features, which reflect the Neoclassical movement’s inclination towards clarity and realism.
She is adorned with a black dress, which is characterized by its rich texture and the inclusion of subtle detailing, indicative of Ingres’s skill in rendering fabric and attire with precision. A white lace collar frames her neckline, adding a touch of delicacy to her appearance. This lace collar, along with the bow accentuating her hair, provides a contrast of light against the dark dress, drawing the eye towards her face. She is also seen wearing a gold ring on her finger and a gold necklace that elegantly drapes around her neck, further suggesting a sense of genteel refinement.
In this portrait, Ingres’s mastery is evidenced in the careful modulation of light and shadow which sculpts the subject’s features, the meticulous painting of the garments, and the exquisite attention to the texture of fabrics and jewelry. The composed and genteel demeanor of Mademoiselle Gonin encapsulates the essence of high society portraiture of that era.