Portrait of Jean-Baptiste-Joseph-Dominique Ramel 1852

Curator: This is Jean Auguste Dominique Ingres' "Portrait of Jean-Baptiste-Joseph-Dominique Ramel," housed here at the Harvard Art Museums. Editor: There's a somberness to this portrait; it has an unfinished quality, a quiet reserve. Curator: The process is key here; Ingres' masterful draftsmanship, the subtle shading achieved with graphite on paper. Note the attention to the materiality of Ramel's coat and the intricate details of his watch. Editor: And what is Ramel's place in history? How did societal structures shape Ingres' representation? This is a portrait of power, of bourgeoisie respectability—how does the context shape our viewing? Curator: Think of the labor involved in creating this, the artist's skill, the patron's wealth enabling such a commission. Editor: Very true, but I still wonder about the politics behind such portraits and the statement of social roles. Curator: It's a document of its time, certainly, reflecting the materials and relationships of its making. Editor: Indeed, a glimpse into the past, seen from different angles.