Study for Vicomtesse d'Hausonville, born Louise Albertine de Broglie 

This study for a portrait of the Vicomtesse d'Haussonville was made by Jean-Auguste-Dominique Ingres using graphite on paper. The artist's chosen material, graphite, is humble enough. Yet, look closely, and you can see how Ingres coaxes a remarkable range of effects from it. With tightly packed strokes, he evokes the weight and volume of the sitter’s face, especially around the eyes, nose, and mouth. Then with looser, more freely applied lines, he suggests the soft texture of her hair. Ingres's virtuosity is on full display here. The portrait reveals the meticulous labor involved in creating a seemingly effortless likeness, a process that transcends the mere representation of wealth. Ultimately, this drawing invites us to appreciate the skill and craft that elevate a simple material like graphite to a work of profound beauty and insight. It underscores the significance of material and making in our experience of art.