Artwork
Benjamin Harrison
Benjamin Harrison is an ink print by the Romanticist artist Charles Balthazar Julien Févret de Saint-Mémin. It dates from 1807 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art. Created circa 1808, this small print measures just under six centimeters on each side.
About this work
Overview
Created circa 1808, this small print measures just under six centimeters on each side. It depicts Benjamin Harrison VII, rendered in black tones on wove paper that has been mounted onto a brown‑toned backing. The work combines mezzotint and engraving techniques, resulting in a finely detailed portrait that reflects the printmaking practices of the early nineteenth century.
Subject & Meaning
The figure shown is Benjamin Harrison VII, presented in formal attire with a composed, solemn expression. The portrait conveys the conventions of genteel portraiture of the period, emphasizing status and dignity through restrained gesture and careful rendering of facial features, rather than overt symbolism or narrative.
Technique & Style
Artist Charles B. J. Févret de Saint‑Mémin employed both mezzotint and line engraving, a hybrid approach that allowed for rich tonal gradations alongside precise linear detail. The mezzotint stage provides deep, velvety shadows, while the engraving adds crisp outlines and texture, demonstrating the maker’s mastery of two complementary print processes.
History & Provenance
Attributed to the French‑American printmaker Févret de Saint‑Mémin, the image is catalogued by Heritage Art/Heritage Images. Its early nineteenth‑century origin places it within a period when portrait prints served both as personal memorabilia and as a means of disseminating the likenesses of notable individuals across transatlantic audiences.
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.
