Princess Albert de Broglie
Painting on canvas • Jean-Auguste-Dominique Ingres
Style & Movement
Neoclassicism / Academicism
Medium & Technique
Oil on canvas with smooth finishes, glazing, and academic precision
Creation Period
1851–1853
Dimensions & Format
121.3 x 90.8 cm (approx. 47 3/4 x 35 3/4 in); vertical portrait
Subject Description
A formal portrait of Pauline-Eléonore de Galard de Brassac de Béarn, the Princesse de Broglie. She is depicted seated with her arms crossed, wearing a luxurious blue silk dress, multiple strands of pearls, and intricate lace. The composition is noted for its cool color palette and meticulous attention to fabric textures.
Condition & Value Assessment
Condition Assessment
Excellent (based on the original masterwork in the Metropolitan Museum of Art)
Estimated Market Value
Priceless / In excess of $100,000,000 (museum collection item)
Auction Estimate
$80,000,000 - $120,000,000 (theoretical)
Provenance History
Commissioned by Albert de Broglie; De Broglie family until the 20th century; acquired by Robert Lehman in 1954; donated to the Metropolitan Museum of Art in 1975.
Art Historical Significance
One of the finest examples of late Neoclassical portraiture. It signifies the peak of Ingres’s ability to render tactile surfaces and feminine grace, representing the height of Second Empire social status.
Notable Features
The inclusion of the family crest on the wall, the specific 'Ingres blue' of the dress, and the artist's signature and date located on the left side.
Condition Issues
The original painting shows minor stable craquelure consistent with age, but is otherwise remarkably well-preserved.
Conservation Recommendations
Maintain stable humidity (45-55%) and temperature. Use UV-filtered glazing for display. Periodic inspection by a specialist in 19th-century French painting.