Artwork
Felix Constant de Boisgerard
Felix Constant de Boisgerard is an ink print by the Romanticist artist Charles Balthazar Julien Févret de Saint-Mémin. It dates from 1809 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
About this work
Overview
This print is a portrait of Felix Constant de Boisgerard, created by Charles B. J. Févret de Saint-Mémin in 1809. It is a small work, measuring 5.72 × 5.72 cm, executed in mezzotint and engraving on wove paper.
Subject & Meaning
The portrait depicts a man in profile, characterized by a prominent nose and a calm expression, wearing a dark coat against a plain background. The subject's features are rendered in a way that draws the viewer's attention to his face.
Technique & Style
The artwork combines mezzotint and engraving techniques to achieve a range of tonal values. The use of cross-hatching creates smooth shadows and soft edges, giving the image a nuanced, detailed appearance. The lines have a hand-drawn quality, contributing to the overall effect.
Context
Mezzotint was a popular medium for portraiture in the early 19th century, allowing artists to produce prints with rich, velvety tones. Saint-Mémin was a prolific practitioner of this technique, producing over 300 such prints during his lifetime.
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.
