Artwork
Gerrit Boon
Gerrit Boon is an ink print by the Romanticist artist Charles Balthazar Julien Févret de Saint-Mémin. It dates from 1801 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art. Created in 1801, this print by Charles B.
About this work
Overview
Created in 1801, this print by Charles B. J. Févret de Saint‑Mémin presents a solitary male figure in profile. Executed as a mezzotint and engraving on wove paper, the image is mounted on a brown backing, giving the work a subtle tonal depth that highlights the sitter’s features.
Subject & Meaning
The portrait depicts a man with a pronounced nose and a forward‑directed gaze, suggesting confidence or resolve. His hair is styled in the fashion of the period, and he wears conventional attire, indicating a respectable social standing without overt symbolism.
Technique & Style
Saint‑Mémin combines mezzotint’s soft gradations with the crisp lines of engraving, allowing delicate facial details to emerge against a uniform background. The use of black pigment on wove paper creates a rich contrast, while the mounting on brown paper adds a warm tonal border.
History & Provenance
The work originates from the early nineteenth‑century French printmaking tradition, a time when portrait prints served both as personal mementos and as a means of disseminating the likenesses of notable individuals. Specific ownership records for this piece are not documented in the source material.
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.
