Artwork
Charles Smith
Charles Smith is an ink print by the Romanticist artist Charles Balthazar Julien Févret de Saint-Mémin. It dates from 1808 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
About this work
Overview
Created in 1808, this small black-and-white print presents a profile likeness of Charles Smith. Executed by French artist Charles B. J. Févret de Saint‑Mémin, the work measures just 5.56 × 5.56 cm and is mounted on wove paper, giving it a compact, portable format.
Subject & Meaning
The image captures Smith in a straightforward, frontal profile, emphasizing the sitter’s facial features without ornamental background. The restrained composition reflects the early‑19th‑century interest in clear, documentary portraiture, focusing on individual identity rather than allegorical symbolism.
Technique & Style
Saint‑Mémin employed a combination of mezzotint and engraving, applying fine black lines to a wove paper support that is further mounted on brown wove paper. The mezzotint process provides subtle tonal gradations, while the engraved lines render precise details, demonstrating the artist’s mastery of printmaking on a miniature scale.
History & Provenance
The portrait was produced during a period when Saint‑Mémin was active in Paris, catering to patrons seeking affordable, reproducible likenesses. Although specific ownership records are scarce, the work’s survival on paper suggests it was likely kept in a private collection before entering a public repository.
Context
In the early 1800s, portrait prints served both personal and commercial purposes, offering a means to disseminate images of notable individuals. Saint‑Mémin, known for his skill in rendering delicate facial features, contributed to this trend by creating compact, high‑quality prints suitable for collectors and scholars alike.
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.
