Raphael and the Fornarina (1814) by Jean Auguste Dominique Ingres

Raphael and the Fornarina - Jean Auguste Dominique Ingres - 1814

Artwork Information

TitleRaphael and the Fornarina
ArtistJean Auguste Dominique Ingres
Date1814
Mediumoil,canvas
Art MovementNeoclassicism
Current LocationFogg Museum (Harvard Art Museums), Cambridge, MA, US

About Raphael and the Fornarina

The artwork entitled “Raphael and the Fornarina” is an oil on canvas portrait painted by Jean Auguste Dominique Ingres in the year 1814. This masterpiece is an embodiment of the Neoclassical movement, which revered the classical art and culture of Ancient Greece and Rome. The painting is housed at the Fogg Museum, which is part of the Harvard Art Museums in Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States.

In the artwork, two figures are prominently displayed. On the left, a woman is seen sitting, her gaze directed towards the viewer with her arm gently wrapped around the shoulders of a man sitting before her. The man, presumably the artist Raphael, is depicted partially in profile as he presents a passive yet focused countenance while holding a painting palette and brushes, giving us insight into his role as a painter. Behind Raphael sits an easel supporting a canvas, upon which the outline of a portrait is just visible.

The woman, believed to be the “Fornarina,” which refers to the daughter of a baker—’fornaio’ in Italian—holds an intriguing and composed expression. Her attire is elaborate and colorful, suggestive of her status and the era’s fashion. The rich fabrics, along with the intricate details of her headdress, enhance the sumptuous feel of the scene.

In the background, an open window shows a view of a cityscape, which provides a sense of the outside world and the setting in which the two figures exist. Architectural elements are faintly noticeable, contributing to the sense of depth and context. The intimate and quiet interaction between the two characters, amid the details of their environment, invites contemplation about their relationship and the narrative that Ingres aimed to convey through this neoclassical piece.

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