LIFE BEYOND FIRST CLASS
ARTS & COLLECTIBLES
REGAL
RESONANCE
In a captivating exhibition, the royal realm of Ingres, where majestic masterpieces and the allure of the Orléans princes converge, unveils the artist’s extraordinary journey.
KATHERINE GANNON
Jean-Auguste-Dominique Ingres (Montauban, 1780 – Paris, 1867)
Autoportrait d’Ingres à vingt-quatre ans, 1804 (Salon de 1806)
Toile ; H. 0,77 ; L. 0,61 m
Chantilly, musée Condé, PE 430
Step into the world of Jean-Auguste Dominique Ingres (1780-1867), a masterful and enigmatic painter of the 19th century, at the Musée Condé inside the magnificent Château de Chantilly in Chantilly, France through October 1st, 2023. Prepare to be captivated by the unclassifiable brilliance and visionary artistry that defined Ingres’ career. In this must-see exhibition, aptly titled “Ingres, the Artist, and His Princes,” we delve into the extraordinary relationship between the artist and the Orléans family, exploring how Ingres evolved from the prince of artists to the artist of princes.
Thanks to the unwavering support of the Orléans family during the July Monarchy era (1830-1848), Ingres had the opportunity to create some of his most remarkable masterpieces. Now, for the first time, these treasured paintings and drawings, commissioned or collected by the Orléans princes, grace the walls of Chantilly. Displayed alongside studies and variants, they offer a profound glimpse into the meticulous and methodical work of one of France’s greatest painters.
Jean-Auguste-Dominique Ingres (Montauban,
1780 – Paris, 1867)
Portrait de Mme Duvaucey, 1807 (Salon de 1833)
Toile. H. 0,76 ; L. 0,59
Chantilly, musée Condé, PE 431
Jean-Auguste-Dominique Ingres (Montauban,
1780-Paris, 1867)
Paolo et Francesca, 1814
Bois ; H. 0,35 ; L. 0,28 m
Chantilly, musée Condé, PE 434
One of Ingres’ most esteemed patrons was Duke Ferdinand of Orléans, the Prince Royal of France and the eldest son of King Louis-Philippe. The profound connection between Ingres and the Duke is beautifully showcased through three iconic masterpieces. Among them, Oedipe et le Sphinx (1808) from the Musée du Louvre, Paris, acquired by the Duke in 1839, along with the renowned Stratonice (1835-1840) and the Duke’s own portrait (1842), both housed at the Musée Condé in Chantilly. This exhibition presents a rare opportunity to witness these three extraordinary works in harmony, forever linked to Ingres’ most famous admirer.
Tragedy struck the Orléans family when Prince Royal met an untimely death in 1842. Seeking solace in art, King Louis-Philippe and Queen Marie-Amélie turned to Ingres to create stained glass cartoons for the Saint-Ferdinand Chapel in Paris. These exquisite windows feature full-length portraits of the royal family’s patron saints, bearing visual traits characteristic of the Orléans lineage. Additionally, Ingres reproduced his work for the Orléans family tomb at the Royal Chapel in Dreux and the chapel in the Château de Bizy. These heartfelt commissions not only reflect the artistic genius of Ingres but also offer a glimpse into the deep emotions of a grieving family.
Ingres’ affinity with the Orléans family extended to the Duke of Montpensier, the Prince Royal’s younger brother. The Duke commissioned a remarkable piece from Ingres in 1847, unveiled in an entirely new light at the exhibition, allowing us to appreciate its true significance.
Furthermore, Ingres’ unique relationship with the Duke of Orléans led to the acquisition of his works by the Duke of Aumale, an extraordinary collector and the man behind the donation of the Château de Chantilly to the Institut de France. The Duke of Aumale acquired no less than five significant paintings and a large drawing by Ingres, all of which are now housed at the Musée Condé in Chantilly. In this exhibition, visitors will be treated to an entirely fresh perspective on these masterpieces as they are displayed alongside preparatory drawings and variants, offering a privileged behind-the-scenes look into Ingres’ creative process.
Jean-Auguste-Dominique Ingres (1780-1867) Stratonice, ou La maladie d’Antiochus, 1840 Toile ; H. 0,57 ; L. 0,98 m
Chantilly, musée Condé, PE 432
Jean-Auguste-Dominique Ingres (1780-1867) Œdipe et le sphinx
Toile
Paris, musée du Louvre
The exhibition also unveils the Duke of Aumale’s desire to acquire Homère déifié (1865, Musée du Louvre, Paris), one of Ingres’ most significant works and a testament to his artistic legacy. Unfortunately, political events ultimately thwarted this ambitious project, leaving us to wonder what could have been.
Ingres was an artist driven by an insatiable pursuit of ideal beauty and perfection. A true perfectionist, he incessantly revisited his compositions, making modifications and enhancements that spanned decades. Recent scientific analyses conducted at the Louvre by the Centre de Recherches et de Restauration des Musées de France (C2RMF) have shed light on Ingres’ creative process. Through X-ray, ultraviolet, and infrared imaging, we gain a deeper understanding of how Ingres reworked and altered his greatest masterpieces, such as the mesmerizing L’Autoportrait dit à vingt-quatre ans and the monumental Vénus Anadyomène. Moreover, Ingres’ relentless pursuit of the ideal composition is exemplified by the various versions of Antiochus et Stratonice, commissioned by the Duke of Orléans. Delve into the sketches and preparatory studies that underpin Ingres’ most prominent works, and witness the artist’s meticulous research and undeniable talent as a draftsman.
Jean-Auguste-Dominique Ingres (1780-1867) Portrait de Ferdinand-Philippe d’0rléans,
Prince royal (1810-1842), 1842
Huile sur toile ; H. 1,58 ; L. 1,22 m
Paris, musée du Louvre, département des Peintures, R.F. 2005-13
Jean-Auguste-Dominique Ingres (1780-1867) Vénus Anadyomène
Toile. H. 1,63 ; L. 0,92 m
Chantilly, musée Condé, PE 433
Jean-Auguste-Dominique Ingres (1780-1867) Portrait de Ferdinand-Philippe d’0rléans,
Prince royal (1810-1842), 1842
Huile sur toile ; H. 1,58 ; L. 1,22 m
Paris, musée du Louvre, département des Peintures, R.F. 2005-13
Jean-Auguste-Dominique Ingres (1780-1867) Virgile lisant l’Enéide devant Auguste, Octavie et Livie, ou Tu Marcellus eris, 1819
Toile ; H. 1,38 ; L. 1,42 m
Bruxelles, musées royaux des Beaux-Arts de Belgique, inv. 1836
“Ingres, the Artist and His Princes” is a profound journey into the life and art of an extraordinary painter. Lose yourself in the timeless allure of Chantilly’s Musée Condé, where Ingres’ works resonate with the rich history and profound emotions of the Orléans family. Experience the awe-inspiring beauty, rediscovered treasures, and groundbreaking insights that this exhibition offers, shedding new light on the genius of one of history’s greatest artistic figures. Don’t miss this unparalleled opportunity to immerse yourself in the world of Ingres and witness the enduring power of his art.