Self-Portrait 1822

This is a self-portrait made by Jean-Auguste-Dominique Ingres in Florence, using graphite on paper. Here, the artist’s mastery is displayed through the stark simplicity of the graphite lines, skillfully delineating his features with precision, capturing the texture of his hair, the soft fabric of his clothing, and the stern set of his eyes. Ingres was working at a time of increasing industrialization, and the read availability of paper and pencils meant that drawing became an essential skill and mode of expression. There is an intimacy in the work, in the way Ingres represents himself and his skill with this accessible and democratic medium. In doing so, he elevates drawing from mere craft to a form of high art. The artist's engagement with such fundamental materials reflects a deep understanding of the relationship between labor, skill, and artistic expression. It's a powerful statement about the value of process and the democratization of art in a changing world.