The neo-classical painter with the flawless line

Jean Auguste Dominique Ingres (29 August 1780 – 14 January 1867). His work "The Valpincon bather" follows all the basic principles of classicism; it is an example of pure contour, perfect body proportion, balance and synthetic harmony. 

The painting is captivating due to the way the light falls on the woman's turban and pale torso, the relaxed body posture, the almost revealed face and the flawless portrayal of the different textures. Ingres returned to this conception in several later works, most notably on the "Turkish bath" where the same figure stands out in the foreground, despite the fact that she is the only one to have her back turned at the viewer.

Text by Nadia Economou