Portrait of Augustin Jordan and his Daughter Adrienne 1817

Editor: Here we have Ingres' pencil drawing, "Portrait of Augustin Jordan and his Daughter Adrienne." It has such a formal, almost stately presence, yet it's just a drawing. What do you see in this piece? Curator: Ingres elevated portraiture, even in this medium. Note the sharp detail, almost photographic. This reflects the rising power of the bourgeoisie, immortalized not as gods or royalty, but as themselves. How do you think this imagery impacted public perceptions of social status? Editor: It seems like it democratized portraiture, making it accessible to a wider audience. I guess the focus shifted from idealizing the subject to simply recording their likeness. Curator: Exactly! Ingres captured this shift. It’s a fascinating interplay between art, social change, and the evolving representation of the individual. Editor: I never thought about a simple portrait holding so much information about society. Thanks! Curator: My pleasure. Art reflects and shapes our understanding of the world.