Jean-Auguste-Dominique Ingres – Saint Rupert, Bishop of Worms (Saint Robert), study for a stained-glass window for the Chapelle Saint-Ferdinand; one of fourteen figures of saints Part 4 Louvre

Here we observe a full-length depiction of a male figure, presented within a stylized architectural frame suggestive of a stained-glass window. The individual is positioned centrally and in profile, facing left, with his head turned slightly towards the viewer. He appears to be a cleric or bishop, indicated by the elaborate mitre he wears and the crozier held firmly in his right hand. A book rests open in his left hand, further reinforcing his religious role.
The artist has rendered the figure with an emphasis on linear precision and idealized form. The musculature is subtly defined beneath the flowing robes, suggesting a classical influence despite the subject’s medieval context. The face exhibits a calm, almost stoic expression, conveying dignity and spiritual authority. A halo encircles his head, marking him as a saintly figure.
The color palette is restrained but impactful. Deep greens dominate the garments, contrasted by the white of the under-robe and the gold accents on the vestments. The architectural frame employs warm tones – ochre, red, and amber – which create a luminous effect around the central figure. This use of color contributes to an overall sense of reverence and solemnity.
The composition is rigidly formal, characteristic of designs intended for stained glass. The flatness of the image, with minimal modeling or shading, reinforces this connection to the medium. The inscription at the base identifies the subject as S. RUPERTUS EPISCOPUS, providing a clear designation.
Subtly, theres an interplay between the idealized representation and the functional purpose of the work. While the figure is presented with classical beauty, his posture and expression are designed to be easily legible from a distance – essential for stained glass intended to adorn a chapel. The overall effect is one of controlled grace and spiritual elevation, reflecting both the religious devotion of the patron and the artist’s technical mastery in translating complex ideas into a simplified visual form.