The Martyrdom of Saint Symphorian

(INGRES, Jean Auguste Dominique).

Notice sur le Tableau du Martyre de Saint Symphorien, par M. Ingres.

24 pp. 8vo (212 x 135 mm.), orig. green printed wrappers, stitched as issued. Autun: Dejussieu & L. Villedey, 1856.

Scarce critical essay on Ingres’s painting Le Martyre de saint Symphorien, which has been housed in the Cathédrale Saint-Lazare d’Autun since 1834. The painting was originally ordered by Roch-Etienne de Vichy, the bishop of Autun, in 1824. Ingres finally completed it in 1834 and selected it for that year’s Salon, where it was received negatively, leading to Ingres never again participating in the event. The anonymous author of this critique provides the historical context for the picture and meticulously describes it. Over the years, despite Ingres considering this one of his greatest achievements, critics have always been derisive.

Near fine copy of a rare work; some minor foxing.

Price: $250.00

Item ID: 7410