The artwork “Virgin and Child with candelabra” is a creation by the renowned artist Jean Auguste Dominique Ingres, notable for his contributions to the Neoclassical movement. The dimensions of this religious painting are modest, measuring 37 x 28 cm. This piece is part of the collection at the Musée des Beaux-Arts de Rouen, situated in Rouen, France, where it is displayed for the public’s appreciation.
Depicting a sacred and intimate moment, the artwork presents the Virgin Mary tenderly holding the Child Jesus. The Madonna’s gaze is gentle yet distant, evoking a sense of serene contemplation. Her attire is simple, draped gracefully around her, and the color palette is subdued, with the use of soft, warm hues that imbue the composition with an aura of tranquility. The Child, pressing close to his mother, looks out towards the viewer with an expression that seems to carry a profound understanding beyond his years. The positioning of the figures and the soft modeling of their forms demonstrate the artist’s skill in capturing the delicate interplay of light and shadow, creating a realistic yet idealized depiction that harmonizes with the Neoclassical aesthetic principles of order, harmony, and emotional restraint.