Self-Portrait 1804

Jean-Auguste-Dominique Ingres rendered this self-portrait in paint on canvas, showing himself as a young man standing before his easel. Observe his gaze, meeting ours directly, a variation on the ancient motif of the artist presenting himself. The cloth in his hand gestures toward creation, purification, and a link to classical traditions. Think of the many Renaissance depictions of Saint Veronica holding the sudarium, or the veil that bore the image of Christ's face, an echo of which is found here. This act of depiction, charged with emotional intensity, serves as a mirror reflecting not just the artist's likeness, but the very essence of creativity and the enduring quest for self-representation. Over time, such gestures have resurfaced, evolving, yet carrying with them the echoes of their origin.