INGRES JEAN-AUGUSTE: (1780-1867) French Painter. A Painter of History, and a renowned portraitist. A

INGRES JEAN-AUGUSTE: (1780-1867) French Painter. A Painter of History, and a renowned portraitist. A

`...I could perhaps do your drawn portrait;

 

but my eyes, already very tired, refuse...´

 

INGRES JEAN-AUGUSTE: (1780-1867) French Painter. A Painter of History, and a renowned portraitist. Acknowledged as the leader of the Neoclassic school in France, he is a precursor of modern art, influencing Picasso, Matisse and other modernists. A.L.S., `J. Ingres´, one page, 8vo, Paris, 5th December 1855, in French. Ingres confesses the reason why he cannot paint his correspondent´s portrait, and states `Il est vrai que ma bonne volonté m´a entrainé au dela de la possibilité, lorsque je vous ai laisse entrevoir que je pourrais peut-être faire votre portrait dessiné; mais mes yeux déja tres fatigués se refusent de plus en plus a ce genre de travail et je me vois dans l´impossibilité de répondre a votre désir..´ (“I have to say that my good will carried me beyond the possibility when I made you believe that I could perhaps do your drawn portrait; but my eyes, already very tired, refuse more and more this kind of work and I find myself unable to respond to your desire”) Very small overall minor creasing, with a water stain to the right bottom corner, not affecting the text or signature. G