A precise and restrained self-portrait by Jean Auguste Dominique Ingres, painted in 1804, capturing the artist at the start of his career.

Painted in 1804, this self-portrait captures Jean Auguste Dominique Ingres at the beginning of his career. The artist depicts himself in a three-quarter view, turned towards the viewer with a direct, steady gaze. His attire consists of a dark, heavy coat draped over a simple white shirt, reflecting the modest circumstances of a young artist living in Paris at the time. The composition is restrained, focusing on the clarity of form and the precise rendering of facial features, which became hallmarks of his later work.

Ingres employs a dark, muted background that pushes the figure forward, creating a sense of physical presence. The lighting is focused, illuminating the side of his face and the collar of his shirt while leaving the rest of the canvas in shadow. His hand, holding a small tool or brush, rests near the edge of a canvas, identifying his profession. The brushwork is smooth and controlled, showing his early mastery of the Neoclassical style, which prioritised line and structure over the expressive, loose application of paint favoured by his contemporaries.

This work provides a clear view into the artist's self-perception during his formative years. It lacks the elaborate settings or symbolic props found in his later, more formal portraits. Instead, the focus remains on the individual, presented with a sense of quiet confidence. The painting is currently held in the collection of the Musée Condé in Chantilly. It remains a primary example of his early technical ability and his adherence to the principles of draughtsmanship that defined his long career in the French academic tradition.