Historic Art Mystery Unlocked: Ingres Portrait Identified as Bruges Painter Joseph Ducq Ahead of New BRUSK Research
An important breakthrough in art history has been announced in Bruges, shedding new light on the international relationships of the city's 19th-century creators. A previously unidentified portrait drawn by the French master Jean-Auguste-Dominique Ingres in 1813 has been officially recognized as depicting the local painter and draftsman Joseph Ducq (1762–1829).
The discovery challenges older assumptions. For decades, the subject of the drawing was believed to be a local politician, Charles-Bernardin-Ghislain Coppieters-Stochove. However, detailed investigation has corrected this historical record, demonstrating how deeply connected local figures were to the wider European art community.
Unmasking the Subject: A Breakthrough in Local Print Archives
The identification was made by Dr. Thijs Dekeukeleire, a researcher working with the local museum network. The key to solving the mystery lay within the collection archives—specifically, a lithograph portrait of Ducq created by his student, Adriaan Wulffaert, around 1829.
When comparing Wulffaert's print with the original 1813 drawing by Ingres, the visual match was undeniable. This physical evidence suggests that the pupil's print was directly based on the French master's original sketch, which is currently held in a private collection in Toronto, Canada, after being sold at auction in 2013.
A Farewell Gift from Rome to the Bruges Academy
The investigation was carried out under the ‘Apprentice-Master II’ research project, an initiative focused on documenting the international trajectories of local artists during the long 19th century.
Joseph Ducq, like many ambitious painters of his generation, completed his early studies at the city's academy before traveling to Paris and Rome to refine his techniques. While living in Italy, he became part of a creative network of Flemish and French expatriates, which included Ingres.
The portrait was created just as Ducq prepared to return home to take up his role as the director of the Bruges Academy. Scholars believe the sketch was a personal parting gift between the two friends. Because Ingres rarely portrayed artists from this region, the drawing is an exceptionally unique piece within his broader collection of Roman portraits, characterized by its soft linework and subtle profile.
Connecting Bruges History to Contemporary Culture at BRUSK
This newfound connection highlights the historical significance of the region's artistic institutions on a global scale. As the city continues to document these narratives, future research endeavors of this kind will be run out of the upcoming BRON research centre, located in the museum quarter alongside the new contemporary exhibition space, BRUSK.
While BRUSK serves as a modern hub for ambitious contemporary installations and historical presentations, its connection to the city's long-standing creative past remains a core focus. Understanding the global footprints of past directors helps contextualize the artistic heritage that visitors experience in the city today.
If you are planning a trip to explore these venues, Musemap (musemap.art) is an ideal resource for designing your visit. You can easily browse local museums across the quarter, find specific galleries on our interactive map, or check out what is currently happening on our exhibitions page.
