Artwork
Denis A. Volozan
Denis A. Volozan is an ink print by the Romanticist artist Charles Balthazar Julien Févret de Saint-Mémin. It dates from 1800 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art. Created in 1800 by Charles B.
About this work
Overview
Created in 1800 by Charles B. J. Févret de Saint‑M%C3%A9min, this print titled “Denis A. Volozan” is a small black-and-white work measuring roughly eight by six inches. Executed on wove paper that has been mounted to a brown‑toned sheet, the image combines mezzotint and engraving techniques to render a finely detailed portrait.
Subject & Meaning
The composition presents a seated gentleman with neatly trimmed hair, dressed in a dark coat and a crisp white cravat. The sitter’s direct gaze and restrained attire suggest a formal portrait intended for personal or collector’s use, reflecting early‑American tastes for dignified, European‑styled representations of notable individuals.
Technique & Style
Saint‑Mémin employed a copper plate prepared for mezzotint, first roughening the surface to hold ink and then smoothing selective areas to produce a range of soft shadows. Engraving lines were added to define facial features and clothing details. The interplay of these methods yields a subtle gradation of tone that gives the face a lifelike presence despite the work’s modest scale.
History & Provenance
The print entered the Corcoran Collection, where it remains catalogued as part of the museum’s holdings of early American portraiture. Its acquisition reflects the period’s interest in French‑trained artists who supplied American patrons with affordable, high‑quality portrait prints.
Context
During the turn of the nineteenth century, Saint‑Mémin produced numerous portrait mezzotints for American collectors eager for images of prominent figures. The medium’s capacity for rich tonal variation made it a popular choice for reproducing the elegance of painted portraiture in a more accessible, reproducible format.
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.
