Madame Jacques-Louis Leblanc (Françoise Poncelle, 1788–1839)

Madame Jacques-Louis Leblanc (Françoise Poncelle, 1788–1839) is a magnificent oil on canvas painting completed by Jean Auguste Dominique Ingres in 1823. This highly refined work exemplifies the artist’s celebrated Neoclassical approach to portraiture, emphasizing precise contours, smooth brushwork, and meticulous attention to textural detail. The subject, Françoise Poncelle, was the wife of the architect Jacques-Louis Leblanc, placing the portrait firmly within the milieu of the ambitious Parisian bourgeoisie during the French Restoration period.

Ingres depicts Madame Leblanc seated, facing the viewer with a composed, reserved gaze. She is dressed in an elegant dark velvet dress, enhanced by rich accessories, including a lace collar and cuffs, elaborate earrings, and a cameo brooch. Characteristic of Ingres’s technical mastery, the surface of the painting is exceptionally smooth, virtually eliminating any sign of brushstrokes. This technique focuses the viewer’s attention on the subtle modeling of the subject’s face and the luminous quality of her pale skin, contrasting sharply with the deep tones of her attire. While documenting her status, Ingres transcended simple resemblance, applying classical ideals to create an idealized, yet psychologically insightful, representation of women of her era.

The canvas currently resides in the esteemed permanent collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York. This work is considered one of the definitive portraits created by Ingres during his early maturity. Due to the historical significance and age of the artwork, the image is frequently available in the public domain, allowing scholars and enthusiasts to acquire high-quality prints for study and appreciation across the globe.