Artwork
Charles Sterett
Charles Sterett 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.
About this work
Overview
Created in 1804, this intimate print depicts Charles Sterett in a half‑length portrait. Executed in black on wove paper, the image measures just under six centimeters square and is mounted on a brown wove backing. The work belongs to the Corcoran Collection and exemplifies early‑19th‑century portraiture in print form.
Subject & Meaning
The sitter, Charles Sterett, is rendered with a restrained dignity; his face emerges from soft shadows while a dark coat frames a lighter, ruffled shirt. The contrast between the subdued background and the illuminated collar suggests a modest yet respectable social standing, typical of portrait commissions of the period.
Technique & Style
The image combines mezzotint and engraving on a copper plate. Mezzotint provides a velvety tonal range, allowing gradual transitions from deep black to delicate grays, while the engraved lines sharpen details such as the facial features and clothing folds. The labor‑intensive process results in a subtle glow that characterizes the print’s atmospheric quality.
History & Provenance
Attributed to Charles B. J. Févret de Saint‑Mémin, a French artist active in the United States after the Revolution, the print entered the Corcoran Collection at an unspecified date. Its survival in good condition reflects careful mounting on a secondary paper support, a common conservation practice for small copper‑plate prints.
Context
Produced during a period when portrait prints served both as personal mementos and as a means of disseminating the likenesses of notable individuals, this work aligns with Saint‑Mémin’s broader output of American and European subjects. The modest size suggests it may have been intended for private viewing rather than public display.
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.
