Mrs. Edward Dodwell c. 1816 - 1817

Jean Auguste Dominique Ingres made this drawing of Mrs. Edward Dodwell. The lack of definitive dating invites speculation about its creation against the backdrop of early 19th-century Europe, a time marked by shifting social structures and evolving roles for women. Consider the conventions of portraiture during Ingres’s time: How did artists navigate the expectations of representing women within the confines of societal norms? This work may serve as a looking glass into the artist’s perception of women in his social sphere. Ingres captures a moment of poise and reflection in his sitter’s gaze. Her dress and elaborate hairstyle speak to a certain level of affluence and status, yet the softness of the drawing lends an intimate air to the encounter. While Ingres may not have intended to make a statement on gender or class, the act of portraying Mrs. Dodwell opens up questions about visibility, representation, and the artist’s role in shaping our understanding of historical figures.