Artwork
James Breckinridge
James Breckinridge is an ink print by the Romanticist artist Charles Balthazar Julien Févret de Saint-Mémin. It dates from 1808 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
About this work
Overview
This 1808 portrait print depicts James Breckinridge. It is a small work, measuring 5.72 × 5.56 cm, created using mezzotint and engraving techniques on wove paper.
Subject & Meaning
The portrait shows Breckinridge dressed in formal attire, with a dark coat, white shirt, and ruffled cravat, set against a plain dark background. The fine details in his face and clothing suggest a formal representation.
Technique & Style
The print was made using mezzotint and engraving, techniques that involve manipulating a metal plate to produce the desired image. The precision achieved in the portrait is characteristic of these methods.
History & Provenance
The portrait was created by Charles B. J. Févret de Saint-Mémin in 1808. Examples of similar works using engraving can be found at institutions such as the National Gallery of Art, Washington.
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.
