Artwork
George Bond
George Bond is an ink print by the Romanticist artist Charles Balthazar Julien Févret de Saint-Mémin. It dates from 1800 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art. Charles B.
About this work
Overview
Charles B. J. Févret de Saint‑Mémin’s small print, titled “George Bond,” measures just over five and a half centimeters square. Executed in black mezzotint and engraving on wove paper that has been mounted to a brown backing, the work presents a tightly rendered portrait in stark monochrome. It belongs to the Corcoran Collection and dates from the period 1798–1803.
Subject & Meaning
The image depicts a gentleman’s head and shoulders, his features rendered with precise line work. He wears a dark coat and a white collar, which contrast sharply with the plain background, emphasizing his social standing. The portrait functions as a straightforward likeness, intended to convey the sitter’s identity and status to contemporary viewers.
Technique & Style
Saint‑Mémin combined mezzotint’s tonal richness with fine engraving lines, employing cross‑hatching and delicate scratches to model the face and clothing. The interplay of deep blacks and subtle grays creates a smooth skin texture and a sense of three‑dimensionality despite the print’s modest size. This hybrid approach was typical of early‑19th‑century American portrait prints.
History & Provenance
Created between 1798 and 1803, the print entered the Corcoran Collection, where it remains catalogued. Its provenance reflects the artist’s practice of producing multiple portrait prints for affluent patrons, a common commercial strategy for engravers of the era.
Context
During the turn of the 19th century, American portraiture often relied on small, affordable prints to disseminate images of prominent individuals. Saint‑Mémin, a French émigré, adapted European mezzotint techniques to meet the demand of a growing American market, producing works like this one for wealthy clients seeking personal likenesses.
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.
