Comtes de Tournon, née Geneviève de Seytres Caumont

…by the famous artist Dominique Ingres

Portrait of the Comtes de Tournon, née Geneviève de Seytres Caumont by the French artist Dominique Ingres (1780-1867) . This painting was commissioned by her son, the prefect of Rome from 1810 to 1814. The Comtes was 60 years old in the painting and some believe Ingres mixed realistic elements like the slight mustache on her upper lip but used her curly hair and clothing to hide any signs of her true age. Some art historians believe that Ingres used his young wife as the model for the arms in the painting. In some ways, at least to my eye, that would make sense considering the ruff seems to overpower the lady and draw the eye away from her face. It is obvious the lady is fairly wealthy wearing a lovely green velvet dress, lace mantilla and what is probably a finely embroidered cloak. She sits in a chair that appears to be upholstered in fine silk.

To learn more about the artist and view a number of his other famous works, please visit our Biography of Dominique Ingres.