Victor Dourlen 

Jean Auguste Dominique Ingres created this pencil drawing of Victor Dourlen in Rome, around 1808. Ingres's portraits were typically commissioned by the bourgeoisie, reflecting the sitter's social status and personal identity within the rigid social structures of the time. Here, Dourlen is depicted with a soft expression, his curly hair framing his face, looking almost vulnerable. This sensitive portrayal invites a dialogue between traditional masculine representation and a more nuanced, emotional expression. The backdrop of Rome, combined with the inscription referring to the Villa Medici, speaks to the cultural aspirations of the French elite. Ingres’s work navigates personal sentiment and societal expectations while subtly challenging the formal conventions of portraiture. This portrait captures a moment in time but also poses questions about identity and representation.