Artwork
Benjamin Elliott
Benjamin Elliott is an ink print by the Romanticist artist Charles Balthazar Julien Févret de Saint-Mémin. It dates from 1809 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
About this work
Overview
Benjamin Elliott is a small-scale portrait print created by Charles B. J. Févret de Saint-Mémin in 1809, utilizing mezzotint and engraving techniques on wove paper. Measuring 5.56 × 5.56 cm, it is now part of the Corcoran Collection at the National Gallery of Art.
Subject & Meaning
The portrait depicts a man, Benjamin Elliott, with a serious expression, attired in period clothing. The subject's identity and context are not elaborated beyond the likeness, focusing on individual representation.
Technique & Style
Saint-Mémin employed mezzotint and engraving to achieve a high-contrast, detailed image. These techniques, characteristic of portrait printing at the time, allowed for nuanced rendering of facial features and textures.
History & Provenance
Created in 1809, the print is currently housed in the National Gallery of Art as part of the Corcoran Collection, indicating its incorporation into a significant art historical collection.
Context
The use of mezzotint and engraving reflects common portrait practices of the early 19th century, positioning the work within the technical and artistic conventions of its time.
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.
