Artwork
George Michael Bedinger
George Michael Bedinger is an ink print by the Romanticist artist Charles Balthazar Julien Févret de Saint-Mémin. It dates from 1806 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
About this work
Overview
George Michael Bedinger is a portrait print created in 1806 by Charles B. J. Févret de Saint-Mémin, measuring 5.72 × 5.56 cm. Executed in mezzotint and engraving on wove paper, mounted to brown wove paper, it depicts its subject in formal attire with direct gaze.
Subject & Meaning
The portrait captures George Michael Bedinger in a formal, straightforward pose, conveying a sense of dignity and solemnity typical of early 19th-century portraiture.
Technique & Style
The artist utilized mezzotint and engraving to achieve detailed texture and nuanced shading, characteristic of Saint-Mémin's work. The small scale belies the richness of detail attainable through this technique.
History & Provenance
Created in 1806, specific provenance details are not provided, though the work is attributed to Saint-Mémin's known output during this period.
Context
Part of a broader early 19th-century portraiture tradition, this piece reflects the era's formal conventions while showcasing the technical capabilities of mezzotint and engraving.
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.
