Self-Portrait

The Self-Portrait by Jean-Auguste-Dominique Ingres, dated 1822, is a superlative example of graphic art created during the critical period spanning 1801 to 1825. This French drawing, rendered with meticulous precision in graphite on wove paper, showcases the technical skill and psychological depth that defined Ingres’s career as the foremost proponent of Neoclassicism in the early 19th century.

The drawing captures the artist in his early forties, displaying the characteristic intensity and intellectual rigor for which he was renowned. Ingres employs the graphite medium to establish a clean, hard line, prioritizing clarity of form over the expressive brushwork favored by Romantic rivals. The modeling of the face is subtle yet decisive, giving attention to the firm set of the mouth and the directness of the gaze, suggesting a powerful self-assurance. Despite the seemingly rapid execution implied by the medium, the drawing adheres to the classical tenets of balance and structural integrity, fundamental to Ingres’s aesthetic philosophy.

As a highly accomplished draftsman, Ingres valued line above color, and his finished drawings often function as definitive artistic statements rather than merely preparatory studies. This work exemplifies his singular ability to imbue a seemingly simple portrait with profound presence, capturing the sitter's inner life through sheer control of contour and volume.

This compelling Self-Portrait is housed in the collection of the National Gallery of Art, where it serves as a testament to the artist’s unparalleled mastery of linear depiction. Due to its cultural importance and historical provenance, the image is frequently published, and prints of this key drawing are widely accessible through various digital and public domain resources, allowing continued study of Ingres’s influence on the evolution of modern French portraiture.