Artwork
Dennis Nicholas Cottineau
Dennis Nicholas Cottineau is an ink print by the Romanticist artist Charles Balthazar Julien Févret de Saint-Mémin. It dates from 1807 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
About this work
This series is interesting because it shows the artist's skill in creating detailed portraits using engraving techniques.
This portrait shows a man in profile, wearing late 18th to early 19th century clothes.
He has curly hair and a big nose.
The portrait is a detailed print with strong black lines and smooth shading.
The artist made this portrait as part of a series of engraved profiles.
This series is interesting because it shows the artist's skill in creating detailed portraits using engraving techniques.
You can learn more about this style of portrait by looking at the work of the artist: Saint-Mémin, Charles B. J. Févret de.
Overview
Dennis Nicholas Cottineau is portrayed in a profile view in this mezzotint and engraving print on wove paper. The work showcases the subject's late 18th to early 19th century attire, distinctive curly hair, and prominent facial features.
Subject & Meaning
The portrait focuses on capturing the likeness of Dennis Nicholas Cottineau, emphasizing his individual characteristics through detailed rendering of his hair and facial structure. The subject's identity and context within the portrait are defined by their attire, indicative of their period.
Technique & Style
Executed in mezzotint and engraving, the print features stable blacks and smooth tonal gradations, highlighting the artist's technical proficiency in achieving nuanced, detailed representations. The use of strong black lines and subtle shading enhances the portrait's depth.
History & Provenance
This portrait is one of a series of engraved profiles by Charles B. J. Févret de Saint-Mémin, suggesting a thematic or commissioned body of work by the artist during the late 18th to early 19th century.
Context
Part of a broader series of engraved portraits, this work reflects the artist's exploration of capturing contemporary figures through precise and detailed engraving techniques, characteristic of portraitures during this era.
Legacy
As part of Saint-Mémin's series, the portrait contributes to the artist's legacy in mastering engraving for portraiture, offering insights into late 18th to early 19th century artistic practices and the representation of individuals during that time.
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.
