The artwork titled “Portrait of Charles-Joseph-Laurent Cordier” is a neoclassical oil painting on canvas by the renowned French artist Jean Auguste Dominique Ingres, completed in the year 1811. The portrait measures 90 by 69.5 centimeters and is presently housed in the Louvre Museum in Paris, France. This piece is an exemplar of the neoclassical art movement, which is characterized by its simplicity, clarity, and an emphasis on classical forms and subject matter.
The artwork presents a half-length portrait of the subject, Charles-Joseph-Laurent Cordier, set against a landscape backdrop that suggests an idyllic natural setting with mountains and classical architecture. The sitter is dressed in a dark navy blue coat with double rows of buttons and a red badge, suggesting his status and adding a touch of official recognition or honor. He wears a crisp white shirt and cravat, which contrast sharply with the darker tones of his attire.
Cordier’s face is rendered with careful attention to detail, displaying a soft yet focused expression, with dark, penetrating eyes that engage the viewer. His hair is fashionably styled for the period, appearing slightly tousled. The artist’s use of lighting accentuates the sitter’s facial features, contributing to the lifelike quality of the portrait.
The inclusion of the landscape elements in the background provides a sense of depth and context to the portrait, while the classical elements align with the neoclassical aesthetic of returning to the principles of classical art. The overall composition of the artwork speaks to the elegance and refined nature of the period’s portraiture.