The artwork entitled “Study for Vicomtesse d’Hausonville, born Louise Albertine de Broglie” is a portrait by the acclaimed Neoclassical artist Jean Auguste Dominique Ingres. The genre of portraiture is well represented in this piece, which is part of a private collection. Ingres, renowned for his precise draftsmanship and graceful lines, imbues the artwork with the aesthetic principles characteristic of the Neoclassical movement.
The artwork itself is a delicate study that captures the essence of the subject, Louise Albertine de Broglie. It appears to be a preliminary sketch, perhaps in preparation for a more finalized painting. The study is rendered with soft yet confident graphite lines on a toned paper, and it exquisitely captures the facial features of the sitter. The subject’s gaze is gentle, her eyes softly rendered with attention to the light reflecting within them, and her lips bear a subtle hint of a smile. Her hair is swept back, suggesting a style of understated elegance that is typical of the era.
The brilliance of Ingres in such a work lies in his ability to convey personality and a serene disposition through his control over line and shading. There is a palpable intimacy to the portrait, as if the artist sought to capture not just the visage but the inner character of the Vicomtesse d’Hausonville. Despite its apparent simplicity, the artwork is imbued with a sense of grace, showcasing Ingres’ masterful ability to blend realism with idealized beauty, a hallmark of the Neoclassical art movement.
