Artwork
James Brown, Sr.
James Brown, Sr. 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
James Brown, Sr. is portrayed in a small, intricately detailed print, measuring 5.72 × 5.56 cm, executed in mezzotint and engraving on black on wove paper, mounted to brown wove paper.
Subject & Meaning
The subject, James Brown, Sr., is depicted in a right profile, dressed in a dark coat over a light ruffled shirt, set against a simple, circular textured background.
Technique & Style
The portrait showcases meticulous detail, characteristic of the engraving technique, with the addition of mezzotint enhancing tonal depth in the black on wove paper.
History & Provenance
Created in 1808 by Charles B. J. Févret de Saint-Mémin, the print's provenance and exhibition history are not detailed in available information.
Context
Part of a broader 19th-century practice of portrait engraving, this work reflects the era's appreciation for detailed, miniature likenesses of individuals.
Legacy
While specific impact or notable exhibitions of this piece are not recorded, it contributes to the archival record of James Brown, Sr., and the artistic output of Févret de Saint-Mémin.
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.
