Study for the Figure of Stratonice

The Study for the Figure of Stratonice is a preparatory drawing created by Jean Auguste Dominique Ingres between 1834 and 1840. This meticulous work, central to the artist's process for his larger mythological compositions, is executed primarily in graphite and black chalk, further incorporating rubbed charcoal to achieve subtle gradations of shadow and volume. The drawing is technically distinguished by incised contours, a clear indication of Ingres’s intention to transfer or trace the figure directly onto a final support, likely the canvas for his celebrated painting depicting the legend of Antiochus and Stratonice.

As a high-ranking master of French Neoclassicism, Ingres labored intensely over individual figures before assembling his grand compositions, viewing these preparatory drawings as essential components of his artistic process. Here, Ingres focuses solely on the idealized form of the female figure, utilizing the precise media to emphasize line and contour over expression. The careful rendering of the anatomical structure and the classicizing drapery reflects the artist's foundational academic training and his profound belief in drawing (dessin) as the core of artistic truth.

This study shows Ingres's rigorous approach to representing women within idealized mythological or historical narratives. The intensity and clarity of the figure make it one of the key preparatory works surviving from this period. Today, the original drawing resides in the renowned collection of The Metropolitan Museum of Art. Because of its historical importance, high-resolution prints and reproductions of this neoclassical masterwork are frequently made available through public domain art collections, allowing enthusiasts worldwide to study Ingres's masterful technique.