Artwork
Helen Ledyard Lincklaen
Helen Ledyard Lincklaen is an ink print by the Romanticist artist Charles Balthazar Julien Févret de Saint-Mémin. It dates from 1798 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art. The work is a black-and-white print combining mezzotint and engraving techniques on wove paper, later mounted to a brown wove backing.
About this work
Overview
The work is a black-and-white print combining mezzotint and engraving techniques on wove paper, later mounted to a brown wove backing. It presents a head‑and‑shoulders view of a woman shown in profile, emphasizing her facial structure and elaborate hairstyle.
Subject & Meaning
The sitter’s profile reveals a sharply pointed nose and a pronounced chin, features that draw attention to her individuality. Her hair is rendered in abundant curls, and she is dressed in a high‑collared, ruffled garment typical of early‑19th‑century fashion, suggesting a concern with contemporary style and personal presentation.
Technique & Style
The artist employed mezzotint to achieve rich tonal gradations, giving the portrait a sense of depth and volume, while the engraved lines sharpen details such as the hair and clothing folds. The combination of these printmaking methods reflects the period’s interest in reproducing the subtle modeling of painted portraiture.
History & Provenance
The print is attributed to Charles B. Saint‑Mémin, a French‑born artist active in the United States during the early 1800s. Though specific ownership records are limited, the work exemplifies Saint‑Mémin’s practice of creating portrait prints for a clientele interested in fashionable representation.
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.
