Portrait of a Man

The Portrait of a Man is a refined drawing created in 1796 by the celebrated French artist Jean-Auguste-Dominique Ingres. Executed early in the artist’s career, the work showcases a meticulously controlled technique using graphite on parchment, a smooth surface that allowed for exceptional linear clarity. This study is further enhanced by applications of black ink and is unusually contained within a delicate decorative border rendered in green watercolor, lending the piece a finished, formal quality traditionally associated with miniature painting.

Dating from the crucial period of 1776 to 1800, this drawing provides insight into the rigorous academic training Ingres received and his early commitment to disegno, or line, which he championed throughout his long career. The detailed linearity and subtle modeling visible here are characteristic of the young Ingres, who would later emerge as the principal figure in the Neoclassical tradition. The confident rendering of the sitter’s features and the nuanced texture of his attire demonstrate Ingres’s emerging talent for capturing character and volume through simple graphic means.

As a significant example of French draftsmanship from the revolutionary era, this piece highlights the enduring value placed on skilled drawing during a politically volatile time. While the specific identity of the subject remains unknown, the work stands as a testament to Ingres's burgeoning technical mastery. This drawing is housed in the permanent collection of the National Gallery of Art, Washington D.C. Today, high-quality digital prints derived from the public domain status of this historical artwork allow researchers and enthusiasts worldwide access to Ingres’s foundational period.