Portrait of Madame Paul Meurice, née Palmyre Granger 1840 - 1855

Editor: So, this is Ingres' "Portrait of Madame Paul Meurice, née Palmyre Granger," sketched sometime between 1840 and 1855. It's a pencil drawing – surprisingly simple. There’s something serene, almost melancholic, in her expression. What jumps out at you? Curator: Serene is a perfect word. The understatement in Ingres' line, that pure classical line…it feels like a whisper across time. I see Ingres, deeply observant, almost trying to capture her essence rather than just her likeness. Look at the subtle shaping of the face. Do you sense the way he lets the paper breathe, become part of the portrait's soul? Editor: I do now! It's like he's suggesting features rather than defining them completely. Was that typical for his portrait work? Curator: Yes and no. He could be incredibly precise, almost photographic in some commissioned portraits. But here, there's a freedom, an intimacy that suggests a more personal connection, or perhaps just a moment of artistic exploration. Notice how her hands are just suggested... they lack the definition of the face, like an afterthought? Editor: Almost! It's like he prioritized capturing her face, the emotion there, and let the rest fade a little. What does that tell us about what he valued in a portrait? Curator: Maybe he valued a glimpse into the subject's soul above all else. It feels deeply human. What does this portrait make you wonder about her? Editor: I want to know what she was thinking, sitting there, as he drew her. I guess that’s the enduring mystery of portraiture, right? Curator: Absolutely! Ingres leaves us with questions, with the space to dream ourselves into her world.