Artwork
Gerard G. Beekman, Jr.
Gerard G. Beekman, Jr. is an ink print by the Romanticist artist Charles Balthazar Julien Févret de Saint-Mémin. It dates from 1797 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art. Created in 1797 by the French printmaker Charles B.
About this work
Overview
Created in 1797 by the French printmaker Charles B. J. Févret de Saint‑Ménin, this small portrait measures just under six centimeters on each side. Executed in black mezzotint and engraving on wove paper, it presents a finely detailed likeness of Gerard G. Beekman, Jr., and is now in the public domain.
Subject & Meaning
The image captures Beekman, Jr. in a dark coat, his gaze directed straight toward the viewer. The rendering emphasizes the subtle illumination of his cheek and the contour of his face, suggesting a quiet, introspective presence rather than overt symbolism.
Technique & Style
Saint‑Ménin employed mezzotint’s characteristic burr‑created pits to achieve deep, velvety shadows, while delicate cross‑hatching in the engraving supplies the finer tonal transitions. The combination yields a smooth gradation of light that gives the portrait a near‑three‑dimensional quality.
History & Provenance
The print was produced shortly after the artist’s relocation to the United States, where he documented numerous American figures. Its modest dimensions and paper mounting indicate it was intended for private collection rather than public exhibition.
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.
