Artwork
Alexander Smith
Alexander Smith is an ink print by the Romanticist artist Charles Balthazar Julien Févret de Saint-Mémin. It dates from 1804 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art. Created in 1807, this black‑and‑white print by Charles B.
About this work
Overview
Created in 1807, this black‑and‑white print by Charles B. J. Févret de Saint‑Mémin portrays Alexander Smith in a half‑length, profile view. Executed as a mezzotint combined with engraving on wove paper that has been mounted to a brown‑toned backing, the work belongs to the Corcoran Collection and exemplifies early‑nineteenth‑century portrait printmaking.
Subject & Meaning
The image presents Smith’s upper torso, rendered in profile, wearing modest attire that emphasizes the sitter’s ordinary status rather than aristocratic display. The careful rendering of facial features and clothing folds suggests an intention to convey the individual’s character and personal presence, offering viewers a direct, unembellished glimpse of the man.
Technique & Style
The print merges mezzotint’s tonal richness with the linear precision of engraving. The artist first prepared a copper plate by roughening its surface for mezzotint, then incised finer details with a burin for engraving. This hybrid approach yields deep shadows alongside crisp lines, allowing subtle gradations of tone while preserving intricate definition in the face and garments.
History & Provenance
After its completion in 1807, the portrait entered the holdings of the Corcoran Collection, where it remains catalogued as part of the museum’s print and drawing department. Its acquisition history reflects the broader 19th‑century American interest in European print techniques and the documentation of notable individuals through portable media.
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.
