Portrait of Marie Marcotte at the Age of Sixteen Months 1830

Jean Auguste Dominique Ingres made this pencil drawing, "Portrait of Marie Marcotte at the Age of Sixteen Months," in 1830. Consider the role of portraiture in 19th-century France, where Ingres was a leading academic painter. It was a time when social status and family lineage were of utmost importance, especially within the bourgeoisie. Portraits like this one were often commissioned to commemorate significant life stages and solidify social standing. There is an undeniable tenderness in the way Ingres captures young Marie. He skillfully uses soft lines to convey her innocence and vulnerability. Yet, we might also reflect on the power dynamics inherent in such a depiction. How does the act of portraying a child at such a young age reflect societal expectations around family, gender, and representation? How does the artist, as a man, depict the young female subject? What could it mean to be seen and interpreted through Ingres's artistic lens? The drawing provides a glimpse into both the artistry of Ingres and the cultural values of his time.