Artwork
D. Reardan
D. Reardan is an ink print by the Romanticist artist Charles Balthazar Julien Févret de Saint-Mémin. It dates from 1799 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art. Created in 1799, this small print measures just over five and a half centimeters square.
About this work
Overview
Created in 1799, this small print measures just over five and a half centimeters square. Executed in black on wove paper that has been mounted to a brown backing, the work presents a finely rendered portrait of a gentleman identified as D. Reardan. It belongs to the Corcoran Collection, where it is catalogued as a mezzotint combined with engraving.
Technique & Style
The image was produced by merging mezzotint—a method that builds tonal depth by roughening a copper plate—and engraving, which adds line work through incised cuts. The artist employed careful scraping of the metal surface to achieve delicate gradations, allowing subtle modeling of the sitter’s facial features and attire while retaining the crispness of engraved detail.
Subject & Meaning
The portrait depicts D. Reardan, rendered with meticulous attention to the texture of his clothing and the expression on his face. Although no narrative context is supplied, the emphasis on realistic rendering suggests an intention to convey the individual’s social standing and personal character through visual precision.
History & Provenance
Attributed to Charles B. J. Févret de Saint‑Mémin, a French artist active in the late eighteenth century, the print entered the Corcoran Collection at an unspecified date. Its survival in a mounted format indicates careful preservation, reflecting the work’s value to the institution’s holdings of early American and European printmaking.
Context
Saint‑Mémin was known for his portrait prints, often employing the mezzotint‑engraving hybrid to capture the likenesses of notable figures of his era. This piece aligns with his broader practice of producing intimate, detailed portraits for a clientele interested in the emerging market for affordable yet high‑quality likenesses.
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.
