Artwork
B. Ferrand
B. Ferrand is an ink print by the Romanticist artist Charles Balthazar Julien Févret de Saint-Mémin. It dates from 1810 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art. B.
About this work
Overview
B. Ferrand is a small-scale print created by Charles B. J. Févret de Saint-Mémin in 1810, combining mezzotint and engraving techniques on black wove paper, later mounted on brown wove paper.
Subject & Meaning
The print features a dual subject: a meticulously detailed profile of a man and a simpler depiction of a two-story building, juxtaposing portraiture with architecture.
Technique & Style
Notable for its minute scale (5.72 × 5.72 cm), the work showcases the artist's attention to detail, particularly in the profile. The engraving technique allows for precise line work, contrasting with the softer mezzotint areas.
History & Provenance
Created in 1810, specific provenance details are not provided, highlighting the work within the early 19th-century printmaking context.
Context
Emerging from the early 19th century, this piece reflects the period's interest in precise, detailed artworks. The combination of mezzotint (for tonal depth) and engraving (for line precision) was characteristic of the time.
Legacy
While specific legacy or influence of 'B. Ferrand' is not detailed, it contributes to the broader understanding of early 19th-century European printmaking techniques and portrait-architectural juxtapositions.
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.
