Portrait of Luigi Edouardo Rossi, Count Pellegrino

The elegant Portrait of Luigi Edouardo Rossi, Count Pellegrino is an oil on canvas created between 1815 and 1825 by a Follower of Jean Auguste Dominique Ingres (French, 1780-1867). Executed during the early decades of the 19th century in France, this work of art showcases the refined draftsmanship and smooth finish characteristic of the Neoclassical movement, even as academic painting began to incorporate elements of burgeoning Romantic sensibilities. While the precise identity of the artist remains unknown, the piece demonstrates a deep technical understanding of Ingres’s exacting approach to official portraiture.

The painting captures Count Pellegrino in a formal, dignified pose, reflecting his status and societal role in 19th century French society. This follower successfully replicated the precise contours and delicate modeling that defined Ingres’s celebrated style, which prioritizes clarity of line and form above expressive color. This technique is particularly visible in the polished handling of the skin and the sharp lines of the figure's costume, ensuring the subject retains gravity and authority. The subdued lighting and attention to classical form align the work firmly within the prevailing aesthetic of the Napoleonic and post-Napoleonic era. The attribution suggests the significant influence Ingres held over French academic painters and ateliers during this time.

This important example of early 19th century European portraiture is held in the permanent collection of the Art Institute of Chicago, where it serves as a crucial document of the period. Due to its age and historical classification, the image of the Portrait of Luigi Edouardo Rossi, Count Pellegrino is often available through public domain resources, allowing students and enthusiasts worldwide to study the composition and detail. High-resolution prints derived from this oil on canvas are frequently utilized for educational purposes, demonstrating the continued cultural relevance of this specialized French painting style.