Artwork
Fothergill
Fothergill is an ink print by the Romanticist artist Charles Balthazar Julien Févret de Saint-Mémin. It dates from 1802 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art. This 1802 mezzotint and engraving portrait, executed by Charles B.
About this work
Overview
This 1802 mezzotint and engraving portrait, executed by Charles B. J. Févret de Saint-Mémin, captures the likeness of Fothergill in a detailed black and white profile view.
Subject & Meaning
Fothergill is depicted facing right, characterized by curly hair, a narrow nose, and slightly pursed lips. His attire includes a high-collared coat with visible buttons and a neck cloth, conveying a sense of formal, possibly professional, demeanor.
Technique & Style
The portrait showcases Saint-Mémin's use of mezzotint and engraving techniques to achieve a precise and detailed image on wove paper, later mounted to brown wove paper.
History & Provenance
The work is part of the Saint-Mémin Collection of Portraits, highlighting its connection to the artist's broader oeuvre of likenesses.
Context
Created in 1802, the portrait reflects the artistic preferences of the early 19th century, particularly the continued interest in profile portraits and the use of mezzotint for detailed, high-contrast images.
Legacy
As part of Saint-Mémin's collection, the portrait contributes to the artist's legacy of capturing contemporary figures with precision, though its broader impact or significance beyond this context is not explicitly defined by the available information.
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.
