part of a massive donation from Joseph Widener (1871–1943) and his late father, P.
When his friend Marcotte first suggested that Ingres paint Ines Moitessier, the wife of a financier and jurist, he demurred. Ingres changed his mind after being struck by her „terrible et belle tête“ (terrible and beautiful head.) The author Théophile Gautier described her as „Junolike,“ and Ingres presents her with the imposing remoteness of a Roman goddess.
Nineteenth Century, Part I: Before Impressionism, which is available as a free PDF https
This small, rich panel was originally the left side of a diptych, which, along with a right-hand panel depicting the Virgin Mary (now in the Hermitage in St. Petersburg), depicts one image of the Annunciation—the moment when the archangel Gabriel brings Mary the news that she will give birth to the Son of God.
Details of execution link the two works: the same punches were used to decorate the
