Male Torso (1800) by Jean Auguste Dominique Ingres

Male Torso - Jean Auguste Dominique Ingres - 1800

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Artwork Information

TitleMale Torso
ArtistJean Auguste Dominique Ingres
Date1800
Mediumoil,canvas
Art MovementNeoclassicism
Current LocationÉcole nationale supérieure des Beaux-Arts (ENSBA), Paris, France

About Male Torso

The artwork titled “Male Torso” was created by the artist Jean Auguste Dominique Ingres in the year 1800. This painting is executed in oil on canvas and is a fine example of the Neoclassicism art movement. As a genre, this piece is classified as a nude painting (nu). It currently resides within the prestigious confines of the École nationale supérieure des Beaux-Arts (ENSBA) in Paris, France.

The artwork portrays a male figure depicted from the waist up. The subject is rendered with a degree of idealization that is common in Neoclassical art, which often sought to emulate the aesthetic values of classical antiquity. The man’s torso shows defined musculature, with highlights and shadows expertly applied to create a sense of volume and three-dimensionality. His pose is reminiscent of classical statues, with a turned head and an upward gaze that suggests a contemplative or heroic demeanor. The figure’s right arm is raised, holding onto what appears to be a staff or spear, contributing to the classical warrior motif. The curved lines of his muscles and the smooth skin tones contrast with the rich, subdued background, focusing the viewer’s attention on the form and physicality of the male figure.

A drapery, suggested in the orange-red tones, hangs from the man’s left hand, partially covering his lower body and adding a sense of modesty, as well as a touch of color to balance the composition. The overall use of light and shade, the careful delineation of the musculature, and the idealized representation of the human form align well with the Neoclassical principles of harmony, clarity, and restrained emotion. This work exemplifies Ingres’s skill in portraiture and figure painting, contributing to his reputation as one of the foremost artists of his time.

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