Self-Portrait (1804) by Jean Auguste Dominique Ingres

Self-Portrait - Jean Auguste Dominique Ingres - 1804

Artwork Information

TitleSelf-Portrait
ArtistJean Auguste Dominique Ingres
Date1804
Mediumoil,canvas
Dimensions86.4 x 69.9 cm
Art MovementNeoclassicism

About Self-Portrait

The artwork “Self-Portrait” by Jean Auguste Dominique Ingres dates back to 1804. It is an oil on canvas, measuring 86.4 by 69.9 cm, and it exemplifies the Neoclassical art movement. The genre of the piece is characterized as a self-portrait, allowing the viewer an insight into the self-perception of the artist at the time.

In the said artwork, Ingres presents himself in a half-turn posture, gazing directly at the viewer with a compelling and steady expression. His eyes convey a sense of confidence and intensity. The artist holds a brush in his right hand, and his left arm reaches across his body to a canvas, partially obscured by the main figure, upon which one can discern the outline of a sketch, suggesting the act of creation. He is clad in a dark coat, elegantly contrasted by a stark white shirt whose sleeves are voluminous. This attire aligns with the fashion of the day, and combined with his unkempt, wavy hair, gives a Romantic nuance to his otherwise Neoclassical representation. The color palette is subdued, with the warm flesh tones of his face standing out against the muted background and his dark clothing. The painstaking attention to detail and the polished technique are indicative of Ingres’ mastery in portraiture and his devotion to the clarity of line and form, hallmarks of Neoclassicism. The self-portrait not only captures his physical likeness but also serves as a vehicle for conveying his artistic identity and cultural sophistication during his early career.

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