Bust of Angelique Mongez

The Bust of Angelique Mongez by Jacques-Louis David French, 1748-1825, is a masterful example of intimate portraiture created in 1806. Executed in charcoal on off-white laid paper, which has been carefully affixed (or “tipped”) to a cream wove paper support, the drawing exhibits David’s characteristic precision and sensitivity in rendering human form. Angelique Mongez (née Le Caron, 1775-1855) was a highly regarded French painter in her own right, known for her mythological and history paintings, and she was a favored pupil within David’s prestigious Parisian studio. This piece captures Mongez in a simple, classically inspired profile, lending her an air of intellectual seriousness appropriate for a highly respected female artist during the Napoleonic era.

The Neoclassical traditions fostered by David are evident in the purity of the line and the sculptural quality achieved solely through the manipulation of charcoal to define volume and shadow. The intense focus on draftsmanship defined David’s artistic school across France and influenced generations of subsequent artists. Though created during the height of the Empire, the work demonstrates the artist's ability to pivot from grand historical commissions to intimate, psychological studies. The resulting portrait is a powerful testament to the relationship between master and student. Today, this key drawing is held in the permanent collection of the Art Institute of Chicago. As a historical document and artistic masterpiece, the image is now considered public domain, making high-quality prints and reproductions widely available for study.