Jacques Marquet de Norvins, Baron de Montbreton c. 19th century

Curator: Here we have Jean Auguste Dominique Ingres's rendering of Jacques Marquet de Norvins, Baron de Montbreton. The artwork is held at the Harvard Art Museums. Editor: There's an immediacy to it, a raw quality even. The baron seems caught mid-thought, perhaps in a moment of guarded contemplation. Curator: Ingres was a master of line, and you can see how the etching brings out character, even status. It's more than just a likeness; it's a symbol of power. Editor: Absolutely, but the paper itself speaks too. See the discoloration, the foxing? It’s a reminder of the materials and history embedded in this object. How the labor went into this. Curator: I see it as a testament to the enduring power of portraiture, this capturing of a moment that continues to speak across centuries. Editor: And I'm reminded of the tangible connection we have to the past through the survival of these physical objects. Food for thought, indeed.