Portrait of Madame Moitessier

Ingres insisted on painting every detail from life, so he could achieve, in his words, 'the faithful rendering of nature that leads to art.' With minute accuracy he has recorded the light-absorbing darkness of her lace and velvet costume, the gleam of gold jewelry, the gloss of her elaborate coiffure. The emphatic reality of these details contrasts with her unfocused gaze, contributing to the sense that she is somehow removed from life. Ingres insisted on painting every detail from life, so he could achieve, in his words, ""the faithful rendering of nature that leads to art."" With minute accuracy he has recorded the light-absorbing darkness of her lace and velvet costume, the gleam of gold jewelry, the gloss of her elaborate coiffure. The emphatic reality of these details contrasts with her unfocused gaze, contributing to the sense that she is somehow removed from life