IMAGE DETAILS

Stéphane Renard Fine Art

Jean-Auguste-Dominique Ingres (Montauban 1780-1867 Paris)
Sigismondo Pandolfo Malatesta, circa 1814
Graphite and stump on paper
28.2 x 22.7 cm
Authenticity confirmed by Mr. Sylvain Bédard after a direct examination
Provenance: collection of Jules Cambon (Paris 1845-1935 Vevey)

This vigorous graphite and stump drawing testifies to Ingres' interest in medals. Inspired by Pisanello's medal of Sigismund Malatesta, the great condottiere of Rimini, it bears witness to both Ingres' meticulous observation and his capacity for stylization, instilling in this drawing certain characteristic traits that we find in other works by the artist.
This drawing may be part of the artist's research during the preparation of Paolo and Francesca, which depicts a scene from the Malatesta court, a painting whose first version was delivered to the Queen of Naples in 1814.