Ingres Madame Alexandre Lethiere born Rosa Meli and her daughter Letizia Jean Auguste Dominique Ingres (1780-1867)

The drawing presents a seated woman holding a baby in her lap. The composition is straightforward: a portrait focusing on the mother and child, set against a plain background that allows for concentrated attention on their figures. The artist has rendered the scene with meticulous detail, utilizing delicate lines to define form and texture.
Here we see the woman positioned frontally, her gaze directed towards the viewer. Her expression is one of quiet composure; theres an air of restrained elegance about her features. She wears a high-necked dress, tied at the waist with a ribbon, and her hair is styled in elaborate curls that frame her face. The clothing suggests a certain social standing and adherence to contemporary fashion.
The infant held by the woman appears calm and observant, its head turned slightly towards the left. The artist has captured the softness of the baby’s features, contrasting them with the more defined lines used for the mothers attire. This juxtaposition subtly emphasizes the maternal bond and the vulnerability inherent in infancy.
The drawing’s monochromatic palette contributes to a sense of formality and timelessness. The lack of color directs focus towards the interplay of light and shadow, which defines volume and creates depth within the figures. The lines are confident and precise, indicative of an artist skilled in draftsmanship.
Subtly embedded within this seemingly simple portrait is a suggestion of domesticity and familial duty. The woman’s posture and expression convey a sense of responsibility and grace, aligning with societal expectations for women during the period. While theres no overt display of emotion, the drawing communicates an underlying tenderness through the careful depiction of the mother-child relationship. It’s likely intended as a record of a specific moment in time, preserving the likenesses of these individuals within a framework of refined elegance and social propriety.