Jean-Auguste-Dominique Ingres valuation

Jean-Auguste-Dominique Ingres (1780–1867) was born in Montauban, trained under David in Paris and won the Prix de Rome in 1801. He spent many years in Italy, supporting himself in Rome with pencil portraits of visitors. La Grande Odalisque of 1814, in the Louvre, stretches the body in ways that drew criticism at the time, while his portrait of Monsieur Bertin of 1832 is among the most admired of the century. He became the upholder of line and classical tradition against the colour of Delacroix, and The Turkish Bath, finished in 1862, was among his last major works.

Paintings are rare on the market. His pencil portraits are prized, and studies for his paintings appear more often, although the bulk of them went to the museum in his home town of Montauban. A buyer will want a clear history of ownership and a specialist's view, as his portrait drawings have been copied. Sheets should be checked for fading, foxing and later reinforcement.