Portrait of the Sculptor Lorenzo Bartolini 1820

Jean-Auguste-Dominique Ingres painted this portrait of the sculptor Lorenzo Bartolini using oil on canvas. Ingres applied thin layers of paint to build up the forms of the body, face, and drapery, using a process of glazing to create a smooth, almost porcelain-like surface. But unlike Bartolini’s own chosen medium of marble, the materiality of Ingres’s painting is less immediately apparent. This makes us think about labor: marble carving is extremely physical, whereas painting is typically regarded as more intellectual. Yet Ingres was renowned for his relentless work ethic, and his dedication to craftsmanship. The almost photographic realism of the painting is achieved through precise observation and meticulous technique, demonstrating a virtuosity meant to align painting with other highly skilled professions. Ultimately, this portrait elevates the status of both the sculptor and the painter, blurring the lines between craft and fine art.