南フランスのモントーバンに生まれ、ダヴィッドに学びました。1801年にローマ賞を受け、イタリアで長く修業しています。なめらかで正確な線と、陶器のようにすべすべした肌の表現が持ち味で、色と筆の勢いを重んじるドラクロワとは、よくライバルとして比べられました。若いころに描いた『玉座のナポレオン1世』も代表作の一つです。
Ingres was born in Montauban, in southern France, and studied under David. He won the Prix de Rome in 1801 and spent many years in Italy. His smooth, precise lines and porcelain-like skin are his trademarks. People often compared him with Delacroix, who valued color and energetic brushwork, as great rivals. Napoleon I on His Imperial Throne, painted when he was young, is one of his best-known works.
