Ingres Luigi Calamatta Jean Auguste Dominique Ingres (1780-1867)

The drawing presents a portrait study of a young man, rendered in charcoal on paper. The subject is positioned at a slight angle to the viewer, his gaze directed forward with a confident and somewhat self-assured expression. His hair is depicted as thick and loosely curled, framing a face characterized by a prominent brow and a full lower lip.
The artist has employed a technique of layered hatching and cross-hatching to create tonal variation and suggest form. The shading around the eyes and jawline emphasizes the contours of his face, while lighter tones highlight the forehead and nose bridge. A sense of volume is achieved through careful manipulation of line density; areas in shadow are rendered with denser lines, whereas illuminated surfaces receive a more delicate treatment.
The subject wears what appears to be a double-breasted coat, its folds indicated by swift, economical strokes. His arms are crossed over his chest, one hand resting on the opposite shoulder, a gesture that conveys both composure and a degree of formality. A drawing tool is held in his right hand, suggesting he is an artist or someone involved in artistic creation.
In the lower left corner, theres inscribed text – likely a dedication or annotation – written in a cursive script. The presence of this inscription suggests a personal connection between the subject and the creator of the drawing.
The overall impression is one of a preliminary study, perhaps intended as a basis for a more finished work. It conveys an immediacy and intimacy that is often absent from completed portraits. The gesture, the expression, and the evident attention to detail all contribute to a sense of capturing a specific moment in time – a fleeting glimpse of a young man’s character and presence.