Madame Felix Gallois, born Nathalie Rose Joachime Bochet 

Jean Auguste Dominique Ingres made this drawing of Madame Felix Gallois with graphite on paper. Ingres’ portraits reflected the social and cultural values of the 19th-century French elite. Madame Gallois is depicted with a demure gaze and a composed posture, embodying the era's ideals of femininity and domesticity. The soft lines and delicate shading enhance her gentle appearance. Yet, we might consider the unspoken narratives. What aspirations and experiences lay beneath the surface of Madame Gallois' composed exterior? Ingres' portraits often served as symbols of status and lineage. As viewers, we are positioned to see the subject through a lens of admiration and respect, yet we must also consider the power dynamics inherent in portraiture of this era. What does it mean to capture someone's image, and how does this act shape our understanding of their identity? What is lost? What is found?