The artwork known as “Portrait of Madame de Senonnes” is a significant piece by the celebrated artist Jean Auguste Dominique Ingres, created approximately between 1814 and 1816. This oil on canvas masterpiece is a fine example of the Neoclassical movement, which prized clarity, order, and idealized beauty in art. The artwork measures 106 by 84 centimeters and is currently held in the Musée des Beaux-Arts de Nantes in Nantes, France. The genre of the piece is classified as a portrait.
The artwork depicts a woman of elegance and calm composure, her gaze meeting that of the viewer with a serene yet distant expression. The sitter, Madame de Senonnes, is attired in a sumptuous red velvet dress with intricate silver adornments that suggest her status and refinement. These luxurious fabrics are rendered with exquisite detail, showcasing Ingres’ skill in portraying texture and light. The lavish lace collar and sleeves, along with the richly embellished belt and jewelry, including multiple rings, only serve to enhance the opulence of her ensemble.
The careful placement of her hands, one draped across her lap and the other resting on an ornate cushion, demonstrates a relaxed yet deliberate pose, indicative of a woman of grace and self-assurance. The use of chiaroscuro enhances the three-dimensionality of the figure against the darker, less defined background, which features a mirror reflecting the profile of the sitter—a classic Ingres device that adds depth and complexity to the composition.
In all, Jean Auguste Dominique Ingres’ “Portrait of Madame de Senonnes” is a testament to the artist’s exceptional ability to capture the essence of his subject with technical precision and a subtle, refined elegance, all while maintaining the stylistic ideals of Neoclassicism.
