The artwork “Portrait of the artist Delon” is a neoclassical portrait by Jean Auguste Dominique Ingres, an influential figure in the 19th-century French art world. This painting is representative of the Neoclassicism art movement, which sought to revive the classical style and aesthetics of ancient art. It is part of the collection residing at the Musée Ingres in Montauban, France.
The artwork, enclosed within an ornate, circular frame, presents a half-length portrait of the subject, presumably the artist Delon. The figure is oriented towards the viewer, with the body slightly turned to the left and the face in a three-quarter view, exuding a sense of approachability and engagement. The subject’s attire, consisting of a dark coat and a vividly patterned cravat, conveys an air of refined elegance characteristic of the period. The facial features are rendered with delicate precision, from the gentle contouring of the cheeks to the soft gaze of the eyes, suggesting an introspective personality. Notably, there is another figure, rendered in sketch-like strokes, possibly a self-reference to the artist Ingres himself, captured in the act of painting in the background. This inclusion of the artist within the portrait adds a layer of complexity to the painting, offering an intimate glimpse into the artistic practice and possibly, the camaraderie between the subject and the artist.