Artwork
Anne-Louis de Tousard
Anne-Louis de Tousard is an ink print by the Romanticist artist Charles Balthazar Julien Févret de Saint-Mémin. It dates from 1800 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
About this work
Overview
Anne-Louis de Tousard is portrayed in a formal military uniform, adorned with a shoulder epaulette, in this mezzotint and engraving print on wove paper. The work is attributed to Charles B. J. Févret de Saint-Mémin.
Subject & Meaning
The subject, Anne-Louis de Tousard, is depicted in his capacity as a military engineer, emphasizing his professional stature through the meticulous rendering of his uniform and insignia.
Technique & Style
Executed in mezzotint and engraving, the print leverages the expressive qualities of mezzotint to achieve deep, smoky tones and nuanced shading, characteristic of the technique's popularity in the late 18th century.
History & Provenance
The print is part of the Corcoran Collection, though the original copper plate's history and the circumstances of its creation are not detailed here.
Context
Created during the heyday of mezzotint (late 1700s), this work reflects the contemporary preference for the technique in portraitures for its ability to convey depth and dimensionality.
Legacy
While specific influence or notable exhibitions of this piece are not highlighted, it remains a representative example of Saint-Mémin's oeuvre; viewers interested in more of the artist's work are directed to explore Févret de Saint-Mémin's broader catalog.
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.
