Jean Auguste Dominique Ingres
1852
From the collection of Cleveland Museum of Art
1852
From the collection of Cleveland Museum of Art
This photo shows Jean-Auguste-Dominique Ingres in profile, seated and facing left. His sharp nose and calm expression stand out against a plain background. The lighting highlights his forehead and cheekbone, giving a clear view of his face. Ingres was a star painter in 1850s France. This early photo captures him without extra decoration. It also shows how photography was starting to copy painted portraits. Look at Victor Laisné’s other work if you like this quiet style.