Madame Félix Gallois

The intimate portrait drawing Madame Félix Gallois was executed by Jean Auguste Dominique Ingres in 1852. Dating from the artist's later career, this work captures the refined essence of 19th-century Parisian society through the depiction of a distinguished woman. Ingres, celebrated throughout his life for his grand historical paintings and precise Neoclassical approach to form, maintained a prolific production of commissioned portrait drawings, which served both as preparatory studies and highly valued independent works for the Parisian elite.

The technique employed here is characteristic of Ingres’s studies. Rendered primarily in exacting graphite on buff wove paper, the composition emphasizes pure, unwavering line and delicate cross-hatching to establish the sitter’s volume and posture. A notable feature is the artist's application of small touches of gold pigment, suspended in oil, used specifically to enhance the reflective quality of the subject’s jewelry and accessories, creating a subtle contrast with the matte finish of the surrounding graphite drawing. This meticulous attention to detail and texture elevates the status of the piece beyond a mere sketch, demonstrating Ingres’s commitment to idealized form when depicting women.

Ingres utilized these precise drawings as both a primary source of income and a means to sharpen his renowned skills in realistic representation. The work is now held in the permanent collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, where it serves as a prime example of the artist’s mastery of the portrait drawing genre during the Second Empire period. Due to its age and historical importance, high-resolution images are often available through the public domain, allowing enthusiasts globally to study or produce fine art prints of this exceptional piece by Ingres.