The artwork “Portrait of Madame Antonia de Vaucay nee de Nittis” is a neoclassical oil on canvas portrait by the celebrated artist Jean Auguste Dominique Ingres, dating back to 1807. With dimensions of 76 x 59 cm, this portrait is held within the esteemed collection of the Musée Condé in Chantilly, France.
In this portrait, Madame Antonia de Vaucay, nee de Nittis, is depicted with an aura of calm elegance and grace. The subject’s attire is luxurious and indicative of her status; she wears a plush, black velvet dress with a deep neckline, draped elegantly by a golden shawl. Her pose is relaxed yet poised, with one arm resting on the arm of the richly upholstered red chair. A discerning eye can observe the meticulous attention to the textures of the fabrics, from the sheen of the shawl to the softness of the velvet.
The portrait exhibits Ingres’s mastery over the depiction of flesh; Madame Vaucay’s skin appears soft and luminous, offsetting the dark dress and the warmth of the golden shawl. Her face exudes a sense of serenity and introspection, with her gaze directed slightly away from the viewer, inviting contemplation. The artwork’s background is subdued, ensuring the focus remains on the sitter. The detailed rendering of her jewelry, including the delicate necklace and the ornate hairpin, adds to the overall sense of delicacy and refinement that characterizes Ingres’s work and the neoclassical emphasis on clarity and order.
