Jean Auguste Dominique Ingres 1863

Henri Lehmann captured Jean Auguste Dominique Ingres in a profile drawing on January 10, 1863. Lehmann, of German-Jewish heritage, and Ingres, a prominent figure in the French art establishment, shared a complex dynamic, reflective of the broader social tensions of 19th-century Europe. Ingres, known for his conservative views and idealized forms, was a staunch defender of traditional artistic values. Lehmann, by contrast, navigated the shifting landscape of artistic expression, influenced by his own identity and experiences. The portrait suggests a quiet moment of reflection, inviting us to consider the dialogue between artist and sitter. It is interesting to imagine what it meant for Lehmann to create an image of Ingres, a man whose artistic philosophies were, in many ways, at odds with the changing times. This image is a powerful testament to the enduring nature of portraiture as a means of understanding ourselves.