Paolo and Francesca by Jean Auguste Dominique Ingres

Paolo and Francesca - Jean Auguste Dominique Ingres -

Artwork Information

TitlePaolo and Francesca
ArtistJean Auguste Dominique Ingres
Mediumpencil,paper
Dimensions17 x 12.8 cm
Art MovementNeoclassicism
Current LocationPrivate Collection

About Paolo and Francesca

The artwork “Paolo and Francesca” is a creation by Jean Auguste Dominique Ingres, executed in the medium of pencil on paper. This work is an exemplification of the Neoclassical art movement, notable for its return to the classical style and subjects. The artwork measures 17 centimeters in height by 12.8 centimeters in width and is categorized within the portrait genre. Presently, the artwork resides within a private collection.

Depicted in the artwork are two figures, Paolo and Francesca, engaged in an intimate embrace that hints at both affection and tragedy. The figures are central to the composition, rendered with a high degree of finesse, typical of Ingres’ mastery in handling forms with delicacy and precision. The male figure is clothed in medieval attire, donning a blue and yellow outfit with a red cap, while he gently kisses the female figure on the cheek. The female, attired in a vibrant red dress with accents of white and gold, has her eyes closed and seems to accept the affection with a sense of tranquility, her posture relaxed yet full of emotional gravity.

In the background, a shadowy figure with stern expression, cloaked in dark garments and wearing a red hat, observes the scene, suggesting a narrative context that hints at a story behind the figures’ tender gesture. The presence of a book, which Francesca lightly holds onto, adds a literary dimension to the scene, perhaps referencing the source of their story. The artwork captures a moment of poignant intimacy, invoking themes of love, secrecy, and potentially, consequences, alluding to the complex human emotions and moral circumstances.

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