Artwork
Portrait of a Man
Portrait of a Man is a gouache drawing by the Romanticist artist Charles Balthazar Julien Févret de Saint-Mémin. It dates from 1798 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
About this work
Overview
Portrait of a Man is a 1798 portrait drawing by Charles Balthazar Julien Févret de Saint-Mémin, created using a combination of conté crayon, charcoal, graphite, and white-chalk heightening on off-white laid paper coated with gouache.
Subject & Meaning
The subject, a man in a dark coat, is depicted in profile, looking to the left against a pale background. The image conveys a sense of precision and formality.
Technique & Style
The portrait showcases Saint-Mémin's refined style, characterized by crisp lines. It was produced with the aid of a physiognotrace, a machine that traced the sitter's outline, which the artist then hand-filled with details, resulting in a silhouette-like depth.
History & Provenance
Created during Saint-Mémin's time in the United States, after fleeing France during the Revolution. He later returned to France to direct a museum in Dijon.
Context
Reflects the artistic practices of the late 18th century, blending mechanical innovation (physiognotrace) with traditional manual techniques.
Legacy
Demonstrates Saint-Mémin's contribution to portrait drawing, highlighting the intersection of technology and artistic skill in his work.
Artist & collection
Artist
Charles Balthazar Julien Févret de Saint-Mémin
Charles Balthazar Julien Févret de Saint-Mémin (French pronunciation: ; 1770–1852) was a French portrait painter and museum director.
