Bidspirit auction | [ART] - INGRES Jean-Auguste-Dominique (1780

[ART] - INGRES Jean-Auguste-Dominique (1780 - 1867) - Reluctance And Integrity: Ingres Declines An Official Artistic Role - Autograph letter signed by the French painter. 1 p. in-4. Embossed paper mark. Addressed to Michel Augustin Varcollier (1795-1883), Fine-Arts administrator for the Seine department: “…Ayez la bonté de prier M. le prefet qui je ne fasse point partie de la Commission pour nommer le peintre de l’ (…) je suis détérminé à eviter le plus possible d’affaires de ce genre et la surtout pour’qu’il s’agit de classer le nommes et toucher l’article des amours propres et intérêts…”. This letter reflects Ingres’ well-known aversion to administrative duties and his desire to remain independent from institutional pressures. His refusal reveals both personal integrity and awareness of the conflicts inherent in official appointments. Such documents are of particular interest for understanding the relationship between artists and public institutions in 19th-century France. They highlight the tension between artistic autonomy and bureaucratic involvement. •⁠> This lot is located in and ships from the UK. A UK export license is required prior to shipment. Import duties and taxes in the destination country are the buyer's responsibility.