Portrait of Philibert Rivière

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Portrait of Philibert Rivière, by Ingres, 1805, oval, 46 x 46 in. Louvre, Paris

Portrait of Philibert Rivière is a c. 1805 oil on canvas painting by the French

his wife, Philibert and their daughter, Caroline.[2]

The couple also has a son, Paul, who was not portrayed.[3] The three portraits comprised Ingres' first major commission, were completed when he was c 23 years old. They are each very different in tone and approach, but were highly successful from an artistic point of view, and all considered among his early masterpieces.[4]

Description

Portrait of Madame Rivière, 1806

As an official commission, the painting is very different from Ingres' earlier male portraits, which were mostly informal descriptions of friends. Philibert is shown in an official pose, sitting on a highly ornate and expensive chair, and posed beside a table draped with a red velvet cloth, and containing documents related to his office. His hand is tucked inside his vest, in a pose reminiscent of Napoleon.[3]

Jacques-Louis David, Portrait of Gaspar Mayer, 1795
David, Portrait of Pierre Sériziat, c 1790

The painting was influences by the work of Jacques-Louis David, in particular his amiable portraits of Pierre Sériziat and Gaspar Mayer. Here Rivière may appear imposing, while also relaxed and friendly.[4] The painting is very flat and spatially restrictive.

Unusually for Ingres, there are no surviving preparatory sketches. The artist signed and dated the canvas at the lower left.[3]

See also

Notes

  1. ^ Pollitt, Ben. "Ingres, Portrait of Madame Rivière". Khan Academy, 2016. Retrieved 1 October 2017
  2. ^ Rosenblum, 56-58
  3. ^ a b c Conisbee, 62
  4. ^ a b Rosenblum, 54

Sources