Artwork
Frederick May
Frederick May 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
Overview
The work is a black‑and‑white print depicting Frederick May. Executed as a mezzotint combined with engraving, the image is printed on wove paper that has been mounted onto a brown‑toned sheet. The composition presents the sitter in a dark coat with a white collar, set against an unadorned background that directs attention to his face.
Subject & Meaning
Frederick May is shown in a three‑quarter view, his features illuminated from the left, which creates a gentle shadow across his nose and cheek. The plain backdrop and restrained attire suggest a focus on personal character rather than narrative context, typical of portraiture intended to convey the individual’s status and demeanor.
Technique & Style
The artist employed fine cross‑hatching to render tonal gradations, building shadows and highlights line by line. This meticulous approach, characteristic of early 19th‑century printmaking, allows for smooth transitions between light and dark while preserving crisp edge definition, especially in the rendering of the collar and facial details.
History & Provenance
Created by Charles B. J. Févret de Saint‑Mémin, an active printmaker of the early 1800s, the portrait now belongs to the collection of the National Gallery of Art. Its medium and mounting reflect common practices of the period for preserving delicate prints.
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.
