Frederic Sylvester Douglas

Frederic Sylvester Douglas is a significant early work by the renowned French artist Jean-Auguste-Dominique Ingres, executed in 1815. Classified as a print, this piece utilizes the relatively new technique of lithography. This medium, which involves drawing directly onto a prepared stone or plate, allowed Ingres to capture the subject with a directness and subtlety often associated with drawing, rather than the more laborious etching or engraving methods prevalent at the time.

Created during a pivotal moment in the period spanning 1801 to 1825, this work showcases Ingres's commitment to Neoclassical purity amidst the political climate of post-Napoleonic France. Although Ingres is most celebrated for his oil paintings and meticulously rendered historical scenes, his output of prints and drawings is extensive and provides crucial insight into his evolving technique. Even in this monochromatic format, Ingres’s characteristic emphasis on precise contours and smooth modeling is evident, defining the figure with classical restraint and clarity. The choice of lithography indicates the burgeoning role of reproducible media in disseminating imagery and portraiture during the early nineteenth century.

As an example of French graphic arts from this era, the lithograph reflects the growing demand for versatile prints. Though specific details about the subject, Frederic Sylvester Douglas, are not visually explicit in the metadata, the rendering aligns with Ingres's typical commissioned portraits of notable figures and intellectuals of the time. This important representation of early 19th-century printmaking is preserved in the collections of the National Gallery of Art, where it serves as a valuable example of Ingres's mastery outside of his oil painting practice. As works of this age and significance are increasingly digitized, many high-quality prints of this historical work are now available through public domain initiatives, ensuring wide accessibility for study and appreciation.