Portrait of Jean-Louis Robin

Portrait of Jean-Louis Robin is a distinguished drawing created by Jean–Auguste–Dominique Ingres (French, 1780–1867) between 1809 and 1810. This impressive work is executed in graphite, utilizing the sophisticated technique of stumping on ivory wove paper. Stumping involves the subtle blending of the medium, allowing Ingres to achieve soft, volumetric transitions and deep tonal contrasts, particularly visible in the sitter’s face and the texture of his clothing. The classification of the work as a drawing underscores the artist’s prolific output in graphic arts, which often served both as preparatory studies and highly detailed finished portraits intended for private commission.

Created early in the nineteenth century, this drawing dates to a critical period in the artist's career when the Neoclassical movement defined French and European culture. Although Ingres later became synonymous with grand, idealized history paintings, his pencil portraits from this era demonstrate a keen precision and profound psychological insight into his subjects. The portrait of Jean-Louis Robin reflects the style Ingres developed while studying in Rome, showcasing a meticulous attention to line and form that would define his mature style. The careful rendering of the subject’s expression and attire elevates this portrait beyond a simple likeness, capturing a specific individual within the wider artistic milieu of early 19th-century France.

This historically significant work resides in the permanent collection of the Art Institute of Chicago. The detailed technique and execution provide essential context for understanding Ingres’s development as a leading figure in the European academy. Although the original drawing is a unique artifact, high-quality prints and reproductions of the work are commonly circulated, enabling broad scholarly access to the foundational graphic output of this definitive master.