The source Jean Auguste Dominique Ingres (1780-1867)

The painting The Source depicts a nude young woman of fair complexion, with auburn hair falling loosely around her shoulders and framing her face. She is positioned centrally and stands with her head tilted slightly to her left, her gaze directed towards the viewer with a subtly enigmatic expression. Her left arm is raised, bent at the elbow, and rests on top of her head, cradling a large, earthenware jug resting on her shoulder. Her right arm is extended, holding the jug, from which a stream of clear water is pouring downwards.

The woman stands in what appears to be a natural grotto or rocky outcrop, with dark, textured rock formations behind her. Lush, dark green foliage frames the top and sides of the composition, suggesting a secluded, verdant environment. At the base of the rocks, to the viewers left, a small clump of pale green reeds or grasses grows near the waters edge. The water she is pouring flows into a pool at her feet, creating ripples and a reflection. The overall lighting is soft, highlighting the womans form and the water.

The subtexts of The Source are rich and multifaceted, drawing on classical and symbolic interpretations.

• The Nude as Idealized Beauty and Nature: The nude female form has been a central subject in art since antiquity, often representing idealized beauty, purity, and fertility. Her setting in nature reinforces this connection, suggesting a harmonious relationship between the human form and the natural world.
• Water as Life and Purity: Water is a universal symbol of life, purification, refreshment, and renewal. The act of pouring water from the jug can be interpreted as the offering or bestowal of these qualities. The title itself, The Source, links the water directly to its origin, suggesting a primal or fundamental essence.
• The Feminine Principle and Fertility: The female form, especially when associated with water and nature, can symbolize the feminine principle, creation, and fertility. The pouring of water can be seen as an act of giving life or sustenance.
• Sensuality and Eroticism: While often presented with an air of innocence, the nude female form inevitably carries undertones of sensuality and eroticism, particularly given the Renaissance tradition of depicting mythological figures or allegories in this manner. Her direct gaze engages the viewer, adding a layer of intimacy and perhaps vulnerability or allure.
• Mythological Allusion: The depiction of a woman by a water source with a jug is reminiscent of classical nymphs or goddesses associated with springs and rivers, such as Naiads or even Aphrodite, the goddess of love and beauty.
• The Cycle of Life: The interaction between the water, the natural setting, and the woman can be seen as representing the continuous cycle of life, birth, and regeneration. The source of the water could be interpreted metaphorically as a wellspring of life itself.

In essence, The Source is a powerful, allegorical work that uses the nude female form and the element of water to explore themes of beauty, life, purity, and the generative forces of nature and the feminine.