The artwork “Portrait of Madame Moitessier Sitting” was created by the renowned artist Jean Auguste Dominique Ingres in the year 1856. This oil on canvas measures 120 x 92.1 cm and is an exemplary piece of the Neoclassicism art movement. As indicated by its title, this work is a portrait, currently housed at the National Gallery in London, United Kingdom.
The artwork presents an elegantly poised woman seated on an ornate chair. Madame Moitessier is depicted with a serene expression, her gaze slightly averted from the viewer. She appears to be the embodiment of refined grace, her posture relaxed yet sophisticated. The brushwork Ingres employs renders her skin smooth and her features delicate, characteristic of the idealization found in Neoclassical portraiture.
She is adorned with an exquisitely patterned dress, resplendent with floral motifs that cascade over the fabric’s folds, enhancing the sense of luxury and status. The richness of the textile is mirrored in the surrounding decor, from the lavish drapery to the ornamental objects that share the space. The intricate details of her jewelry and accessories, including the fan in her hand, emphasize her affluence and fashion.
Ingres’s masterful use of light and shadow accentuates the three-dimensionality of the figure against a deep, muted background, allowing for a striking contrast that draws attention to Madame Moitessier. A mirror placed behind her offers a secondary view, further showcasing the artist’s skill in composition and perspective. This attention to detail, coupled with the lifelike representation of his subject, showcases Ingres’s dedication to the ideals of beauty and harmony celebrated during the Neoclassical period.