Pierre Alexandre Tardieu

Jean-Auguste-Dominique Ingres, 1825

MEDIUMGraphite on cream wove paper, laid down on ivory laid paper, and stretched on a wooden stretcher
DIMENSIONS24.2 × 18.6 cm (9 9/16 × 7 3/8 in.)
LOCATIONArt Institute of Chicago

This striking graphite portrait captures the French engraver Pierre Alexandre Tardieu with remarkable detail and psychological depth. It’s a prime example of how a simple drawing can reveal the character of its subject.

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ABOUT THIS WORK

In this intimate graphite portrait, the French engraver Pierre Alexandre Tardieu gazes directly out at us, his expression thoughtful and composed. His face, rendered with delicate precision, is framed by a neatly tied cravat and the high collar of his coat, details that anchor him firmly in the fashion of the 1820s. The artist, Jean-Auguste-Dominique Ingres, uses the subtle gradations of graphite to give Tardieu's features a remarkable sense of volume and presence, from the curve of his brow to the subtle shadows beneath his chin. This drawing exemplifies the Neoclassical ideal of clarity and refined draftsmanship, focusing on the individual's character through precise observation. It’s a testament to the power of a simple pencil to capture both likeness and an inner world.

ART MOVEMENTS
Academic artClassicismNeoclassicismRomanticism
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What to Notice

1

Observe the subtle play of light and shadow on Tardieu's forehead.

2

Notice the delicate rendering of his hair, parted neatly to one side.

3

See how the crisp folds of his cravat are defined with fine lines.

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Audio Deep Dive

This striking graphite portrait captures the French engraver Pierre Alexandre Tardieu with remarkable detail and psychological depth. It’s a prime example of h…

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THE ARTIST
Jean-Auguste-Dominique Ingres 1780–1867 · France

Jean-Auguste-Dominique Ingres, a French Neoclassical painter, masterfully blended academic tradition with expressive distortions, influencing modernists like Matisse and Picasso.

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