Madame Moitessier
- Artist: Jean-Auguste-Dominique Ingres
- Date: 1856
- Medium: oil on canvas
- Museum: The National Gallery
- Collection record: The National Gallery website
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About this artwork
This is the "Madame Moitessier" by Jean-Auguste-Dominique Ingres. Painted in 1856, it's a stunning example of the artist's late style and his ability to combine technical skill with compositional complexity.
Madame Moitessier gazes majestically at us, embodying luxury and style during the Second Empire. Her pose is inspired by a Roman wall painting from Herculaneum depicting the goddess of Arcadia. Ingres was initially reluctant to accept the commission but changed his mind after meeting Madame Moitessier.
Notice how he uses the gesture of Arcadia's right hand, with its index finger raised, supporting her head. He also pays great attention to the precise positioning of her right arm, hand, and fingers. The dress she wears is a lavish floral chintz made from Lyonnaise silk, which echoes in the vase on the left and the ornate frame.
Ingres was known for his meticulous attention to detail, and this portrait is no exception. He depicts the tones and textures of different fabrics with great skill, and the impression of opulence is amplified by the Renaissance- and Byzantine-style jewellery.
See it in person
Madame Moitessier hangs in The National Gallery on Trafalgar Square, London — free to enter. Point your phone at any artwork there and audioguide.london plays a free audio guide in six languages — no app download needed.
