Ingres (1780-1867)

 

 

Meta-Impressionism / other artists:

Jean-Auguste-Dominique Ingres

1780 – 1867

One of the most influential painters

 

Introduction:
Ingres was born 1780/08/29 in Montauban (where they have Musée Ingres = M197) and later moved to Paris. He died 1867/01/14 i Paris .
Ingres was one of the most influential painters of the 19th century. In 1825 Ingres became a member of L’Institut and in 1829 professor at the École National des Beaux-Arts. From 1835 till 1841 he was director of the French Academy in Rome. In 1853 he became president of the École. He was the most prominent representative of Néo-Classicism.
Note: This page has just been started; additional info and pictures will be added later.

Ingres as an artist:
In Paris Ingres joined in 1797 the Atelier of David. He studied at the École des Beaux-Arts from 1799-1801. After failing in 1800 Ingris won the Prix de Rome in 1801. From 1806 till 1824 he lived in Rome and Florence. He made a living by painting portraits. Back in Paris he received several commissions.
His paintings have a cool harmonic colouring. They have an objective and rational charecter.

Ingres at the Salon:
Ingres made his debut at the Salon in 1802. In 1824 he had a great succes at the Salon.
At the Salon of 1834 he received many accusations of historical inaccuracy, for the feminine appearance of the Saint, who looked like a beautiful statue. In anger, Ingres announced that he would no longer participate in the Salon.

Ingres, one of the most influential painters of the 19th century:
Ingres was one of the most influential painters of the 19th century. In 1825 he became a member of the Academy (l’Institut) and in 1829 professor at the École National des Beaux-Arts. From 1835 till 1841 he was director of the French Academy in Rome. In 1853 he became president of the École. In 1863 he still was professor at the École.

Ingres in the Légion d’Honnour:
Ingres was appointed in the Légion d’Honneur, in 1824 as Chevalier, in 1826 as Officier and 1845/05/01 as Commandeur.

 

Ingres at the Exposition Universelle:
In 1855 the Salon was part of the Exposition Universelle. In a room there was a large review with 41 catalogue numbers containing 68 works, including 25 stained glass cartons and 12 portraits. Many of these works had already been exhibited at previous Salons. (iR1)
Ingres his works were not present at the Exposition Universelle of 1867. He had died the 14th  of Januari. Still, there was a posthumous exhibition held at the Ecole des Beaux-Arts (R5,p42).
In 1878 his works were absent.
At the Exposition Centennale in 1889 7 paintings were exhibited and 30 other works, including 27 drawings.
At the Exposition Centennale in 1900 there were 17 paintings shown of him, including 11 portraits (R231-2).

Ingres and the Impressionists:
At the 1st ‘impressionist’ exposition in 1874 Ingres was honoured by a portrait of Auguste Ottin and 2 reproductions of Félix Bracquemond↓.
Ingres was admired by Degas and Rouart, they also had works of Ingres in their collection.
Since about 1883 also by Renoir followed more the influence of Ingres.
Desboutin portrayed him making an etch after a painting.

 

Posthumous exhibitions:
Many works of Ingres were shown posthumously at the Expositions Centennale in 1889 and in 1900↑.
In 1905 there also was a large review with 68 catalogue numbers of Ingres at the Salon d’Automne, including 23 paintings (of which 15 portrait), 24 studies and fragments, 19 drawings and 2 other works (iR1).
You could say that around the turn of the age, Ingres was notably represented as a portraitist and a draughtsman and not with neo-classicist works.
In 2023 there was an exposition in Château Chantilly.

 

 

Sources:
Catalogues of the Salon (R337; iR1).
Catalogues of the Expositions Universelle (R231).
R3,p670;R13,p350-2;R31,p179;R210,p21;R293,p391-397;
Info and pictures on the internet: iR3; iR4iR6; iR23.
See the link for other general References (=Rx) and to the internet references (=iRx).
See links for practical hints and abbreviations and for the subscription of the paintings.

 

For further reading:

 

Additional references:

 

 

Recommanded citation: “Meta-Impressionism: Jean-Auguste-Dominique Ingres (1780-1867), one of the most influential painters. Last modified 2025/11/18. https://www.impressionism.nl/ingres-1780-1867/

 

Note: additional info and pictures will be added.