Artwork
Edward Brailsford
Edward Brailsford is an ink print by the Romanticist artist Charles Balthazar Julien Févret de Saint-Mémin. It dates from 1798 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art. The work is a diminutive portrait print measuring just over five and a half centimeters on each side.
About this work
Overview
The work is a diminutive portrait print measuring just over five and a half centimeters on each side. Executed in 1798, it presents a finely rendered likeness of Edward Brainsford, rendered in black on wove paper that has been mounted to a brown backing. The image belongs to the Corcoran Collection, now housed within the National Gallery of Art.
Subject & Meaning
The sitter, Edward Brainsford, is depicted in a straightforward, frontal pose, his gaze meeting the viewer with a composed expression. The portrait emphasizes the individual's identity through careful rendering of facial features, hair, and attire, suggesting a desire to convey personal status and character rather than allegorical symbolism.
Technique & Style
Created through a combination of mezzotint and engraving, the artist first produced a tonal ground by roughening a copper plate, then incised finer lines to define details. This hybrid approach yields a rich gradation of shadows alongside crisp linear elements, allowing subtle texture in the hair and clothing while maintaining the sharpness typical of engraving.
History & Provenance
The print was produced by Charles B. J. Févret de Saint‑Mémin, a French artist active in the late eighteenth century. After its creation, the piece entered the Corcoran Collection, which was later transferred to the National Gallery of Art, where it remains part of the museum’s holdings of early American printmaking.
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.
