Auguste-Jean-Marie Guénepin

The work Auguste-Jean-Marie Guénepin was executed by Jean-Auguste-Dominique Ingres in 1809. This compelling portrait is a highly refined drawing rendered meticulously in graphite on wove paper. Created relatively early in Ingres's long and influential career, this study exemplifies his exceptional skill in capturing individualized likenesses, a foundational characteristic that would define his rigorous Neoclassical approach throughout the 1801 to 1825 period.

As a key figure in French art during the early nineteenth century, Ingres prioritized precision of line and anatomical purity, often setting him apart from the burgeoning Romantic movement. This particular drawing demonstrates his masterful control over graphite, creating subtle tonal gradations and careful shading, particularly around the face and drapery, while maintaining a highly distinct, defining contour line. The subject, Auguste-Jean-Marie Guénepin, is depicted with clarity and psychological intensity, characteristic of the intimate portrait commissions Ingres undertook, especially while studying in Italy. Such technical mastery confirms Ingres’s status as one of history's most accomplished draftsmen.

The original drawing of Auguste-Jean-Marie Guénepin currently resides in the collection of the National Gallery of Art (NGA), where it serves as a crucial document illustrating the artist's evolving draftsmanship and commitment to classical forms. Ingres’s portraits, whether executed in oil or in the medium of drawing, are highly valued for their technical excellence and sharp observation. Because works from this era are frequently released into the public domain, high-quality prints and reproductions derived from the original are often accessible through various museum and scholarly initiatives, allowing researchers and enthusiasts worldwide to closely study this important French masterwork.