Portrait of Baron Joseph Vialetes de Mortarieu
by Jean-Auguste-Dominique Ingres
1806 , French, oil on canvas
..welcome to the world of romanticism: where feelings and emotions are more highly prized than logic and reason. romanticism stemmed from what some felt to be a too extreme obsession with logic and reason (prior to this period many significant scientific discoveries spurred the public to prioritize science above all other subjects). prompted by the writings of such thinkers as rousseau, artists began to put more of their personal feelings into their works. the results were sometimes dramatic compositions that forced reactions from the viewer or morepeaceful arrangements that inspired self-introspection.
...so what's so romantic about this portrait then? well, despite ingrés' oft-quoted stance against the less classically based style of romantic art, his works often contained elements of that very movement. in this portrait of a young mayor recently elected for office in his hometown, ingrés infused the figure with a dashing, debonair air by painting the figure in stylish modern dress and creating a gentle wind to tousle his hair. softly blended colors and edges lit by a gentle light source all draw focus to the youth of the subject. the bright medals standing out clearly against the plain black dress coat add a final masculine touch to the already romanticized portrait of an accomplished young man. ingrés protested that his work was more in the classical tradition (which is true if one considers the fine brushstrokes and ideal forms of figures in his works) but paintings such as this one of baron joseph show that the artist was clearly influenced by many other movements in art.
Source:
Norton Simon
Redbeansoup.com
http://www.redbeansoup.net/nortonsimon/roman.html
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