Ingres Madame Hippolyte Flandrin born Aimee Caroline Ancelot Jean Auguste Dominique Ingres (1780-1867)

The drawing presents a portrait of a young woman in a formal pose. She is depicted from the waist up, facing directly toward the viewer with a composed expression. Her gaze is steady and direct, suggesting confidence or perhaps a degree of formality expected within the social context of her time. The artist has rendered her hair neatly styled, pulled back from her face and arranged in an elegant fashion.
The woman’s attire contributes significantly to the overall impression. She wears a high-necked dress with long sleeves, indicative of prevailing fashions for women of means. A ribbon is tied at her throat, adding a touch of ornamentation without excessive display. The fabric appears to drape gracefully, suggesting a quality and cut that would have been considered desirable. One arm rests gently against her side, while the other is slightly extended, holding back a portion of what seems to be a shawl or wrap, revealing a glimpse of the dress’s inner lining.
The drawings technique emphasizes line work over tonal variation. The artist employed a delicate pencil stroke to delineate form and detail. This approach lends a sense of immediacy and intimacy to the portrait, as if it were a preliminary study for a larger work. The background is left largely unrendered, allowing focus to remain squarely on the subject.
Subtleties within the drawing suggest more than just a straightforward representation. The woman’s posture and expression convey an air of quiet dignity and restraint. This could be interpreted as reflecting societal expectations placed upon women during this period – a need for composure and decorum. The simplicity of the background, coupled with the direct gaze, creates a sense of psychological presence; she is not merely being presented but actively engaging with the viewer.
The inscription visible on the left side of the drawing – though partially obscured – provides contextual clues about its origin and purpose. It appears to be a dedication or annotation, hinting at a personal connection between the artist and the sitter. This detail reinforces the idea that this is not simply an anonymous portrait but a record of a specific individual within a particular social sphere.