Artwork
Charles Carroll
Charles Carroll 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 1804, this small print measures just 5.
About this work
This makes it interesting because the artist had to be very careful with the details.
This portrait shows Charles Carroll in a side profile with a calm face.
He has big white curls and a noticeable nose.
The artist used a lot of detail to make this small portrait.
The portrait is special because it's from 1804 and is very small, measuring about 5.56 × 5.56 cm.
This makes it interesting because the artist had to be very careful with the details.
You can learn more about this technique by looking into engraving.
Overview
Created in 1804, this small print measures just 5.56 by 5.56 centimetres. Executed in black mezzotint and engraving on wove paper that has been mounted to a brown wove backing, the work presents a finely rendered portrait of Charles Carroll, Jr. Its compact scale demands meticulous handling of line and tone, making the piece a notable example of early‑American print portraiture.
Subject & Meaning
The image captures Carroll in a strict side profile, his expression composed and unruffled. Distinctive white curls frame his face, and a pronounced nose anchors the likeness. While the portrait offers no overt symbolism, the calm demeanor and careful detailing reflect the era’s emphasis on dignified representation of prominent individuals.
Technique & Style
The artist combined mezzotint’s soft tonal gradations with the precise line work of engraving, allowing subtle shading within a strictly monochrome palette. By printing on wove paper and adhering it to a brown backing, the surface gains both durability and a muted contrast that accentuates the delicate modeling of hair and facial features.
History & Provenance
Attributed to Charles B. J. Févret de Saint‑Ménin, a French‑born printmaker active in the United States, the portrait was produced shortly after Carroll’s death in 1803. Its survival in a museum collection underscores the print’s role in documenting early American political figures and the transatlantic exchange of print techniques during the early nineteenth century.
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.
