Sheet of Studies with the Head of the Fornarina and Hands of Madame de Senonnes

This small sheet of studies offers an intimate glimpse into the working process of Jean-Auguste-Dominique Ingres, a French artist who championed Neoclassicism. Here, he combines two distinct subjects: a detailed head study of a woman, often identified as the Fornarina (Raphael's baker's daughter muse), and several careful renderings of a woman's hands, believed to be those of Madame de Senonnes. The meticulous graphite lines, enhanced by stumping (a technique that blends and softens graphite), reveal his dedication to precise draftsmanship. Ingres often drew from earlier masters, and his fascination with Raphael's idealized forms is evident in the expressive face of the Fornarina. Yet, the hands, drawn with a different sensibility, suggest a contemporary sitter, highlighting his ability to capture both historical and immediate subjects with equal intensity. This piece demonstrates how preparatory drawings were not merely functional but artistic endeavors in their own right, showcasing the artist's foundational skill.