Artwork
James McHenry
James McHenry is an ink print by the Romanticist artist Charles Balthazar Julien Févret de Saint-Mémin. It dates from 1803 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art. Created in 1803, this small print measures 5.
About this work
Overview
Created in 1803, this small print measures 5.72 by 5.56 centimeters and depicts James McHenry in formal dress. Executed in black mezzotint and engraving on wove paper, it is mounted on a brown wove backing and belongs to the Corcoran Collection.
Subject & Meaning
The image presents a single, life‑like portrait of James McHenry, rendered with careful attention to facial features and clothing details that convey his status and the conventions of early‑19th‑century portraiture.
Technique & Style
Combining mezzotint’s tonal richness with fine engraving lines, the artist achieved a nuanced surface texture and depth uncommon in prints of the period. The contrast between the dark ink and the white paper enhances the three‑dimensional effect of the sitter’s features.
History & Provenance
The work was produced by Charles B. J. Févret de Saint‑Mémin, a French‑born engraver active in the United States after 1793. The print entered the Corcoran Collection, where it remains a documented example of Saint‑Mémin’s American portrait series.
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.
