Artwork
James Cuyler
James Cuyler is an ink print by the Romanticist artist Charles Balthazar Julien Févret de Saint-Mémin. It dates from 1796 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
About this work
Overview
James Cuyler is a small-scale print (5.56 × 5.56 cm) created using mezzotint and engraving techniques on wove paper, mounted to brown wove paper. It is attributed to Charles B. J. Févret de Saint-Mémin, dated 1796-1797, and is part of the Corcoran Collection at the National Gallery of Art.
Subject & Meaning
The print depicts a man’s profile, characterized by a neat coat and a calm, introspective stare. The subject’s identity is confirmed as James Cuyler, though the work’s deeper meaning or the subject’s significance beyond the portrait is not immediately conveyed by the image itself.
Technique & Style
The artwork showcases crisp lines and soft, depth-creating shadows. Mezzotint’s roughened plate technique achieves smooth, velvety dark areas through cross-hatching, contrasting with the finer details etched through engraving. The artist’s name is inscribed on the plate’s bottom right.
History & Provenance
Created between 1796 and 1797 by French artist Charles B. J. Févret de Saint-Mémin, the print is now held in the Corcoran Collection at the National Gallery of Art, indicating its historical and artistic value.
Context
Saint-Mémin’s work during this period often featured portraits of American and European elites, suggesting James Cuyler may have been a figure of note among these circles. The small size and detailed technique were common in portrait miniatures of the late 18th century.
Legacy
As part of a prominent national collection, James Cuyler contributes to the historical record of mezzotint and engraving techniques in late 18th-century portraiture, reflecting the artistic preferences and social documentation of its time.
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.
