Monsieur Louis-FranÁois Bertin Portrait ~ Ingres Antique Print

Beautiful folio size antique photogravure print from the picture by Jean Auguste Dominique Ingres (click thumbnails above for larger size image).

Printed on heavyweight cream stock. Plate mark present. Reverse side is blank.

It's hard to appreciate the stunning detail and clarity of this print until you see it in person.

This portrait perfectly reflects the character and social status of Louis-FranÁois Bertin (1766-1841), journalist, businessman, and owner of the Journal des DÈbats. He backed the idea of a constitutional monarchy, which landed him in jail under the First Empire, and opposed the regime of Charles X. When Ingres painted this portrait, during the July Monarchy, Bertin's newspaper, which was read by the liberal bourgeoisie, supported the government of Louis-Philippe, whom he had helped to put on the throne. Here, M. Bertin is seen down to the knees seated in an office chair. The body is three quarters and the head full face. The left shoulder is slightly raised and the head leans a little towards the right shoulder. The hands are set flat upon the widely separated knees. It is the attitude of a man who has come to talk, to listen and to reply. He is dressed in a black frock coat and trousers with a white neck scarf. A watch key and a seal hang below the waistcoat over the trousers. Very handsome in his youth, but seen here at 66, he still exhibits fine features upon which intelligence and firmness are imprinted. His hair, of a slate gray and white is very thick around his high and full forehead; his neck is strong; in his brown and smooth-shaven face, the blood circulates freely, and the eyes look out with an open gaze; beneath the straight nose is a mouth admirable in it's delicacy and firmness.

Title: Portrait of M. Bertin

Publication: Great Masters in the Louvre Gallery

Publication Year: 1899-1900

Publisher: D. Appleton & Goupil & Co. (New York & Paris)

Approximate Page Size (in inches): 12½ x 16¾

Approximate Image Size (in inches): 10 x 12

Condition: EX. Very clean.