The subject of Ingres's Princess de Broglie is looking at us as we gaze up from a slightly lower viewpoint. This elevates her figure, which suited her station. She knows we are there, but her eyes look as if her mind may be elsewhere. The jewelry she wears is obviously high quality and there is an abundance of lace and satin in her dress and head ornament. The furniture is richly upholstered and the scarf on the chair appears to be embroidered in gold. This lady was ot poor.
The color balance of warm and cool is very pleasant, and the peach flesh tones give the subject a lovely glow. The portrait appears bright, even showing the wall panel slightly illuminated behind her, and showing an interesting ornament that appears to be a crowned lion, perhaps a royal crest. Still the subject dominates the canvas vertically, and is centered horizontally. Her dress and the chair create a lovely poufy base on which her arms seem to rest.
The brush strokes are so smooth they are invisible, almost air brushed, and the princess looks almost as if she is made from the finest smooth porcelain. Her face is perfectly symmetrical with warm deep set eyes and generous brows, a perfectly straight nose (possibly a little long), and a perfect rosebud mouth in a serene smile. The scene is well lit and...
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