The artwork titled “Portrait of Madame Ingres” is a neoclassical oil on canvas painted by Jean Auguste Dominique Ingres in the year 1815. It measures 68 by 54 centimeters. Unlike many genres that Ingres engaged with, this work is a portrait and it is currently held in a private collection.
The artwork captures a woman, presumed to be Madame Ingres, portrayed with a serene and composed demeanor. Her gaze appears soft yet direct, engaging the viewer with an air of quiet confidence. The piece is rendered with Ingres’ renowned precision in form and line, which contributes to the elegant depiction of Madame Ingres’ features and attire. Typical of neoclassical portraiture, the artwork exudes a timeless quality, shunning the excesses of emotional expression for a more subdued and idealized representation.
Madame Ingres is adorned in a garment that drapes gracefully over her shoulders and arms, and a sheer fabric that envelops her with a sense of ethereal delicacy. The color palette is subdued, with earthy tones on her dress and a darker backdrop, which highlights her visage and the texture of her clothing. Her hair is styled simply and drawn back, framing her face with unadorned naturalness, a choice that emphasizes the sitter’s calm elegance.
In this portrait, Ingres has showcased his skill in capturing not just the likeness but the essence of his subject, conveying an aristocratic yet approachable subject through the sophistication of neoclassical aesthetics.