Artwork
James Woodson Bates
James Woodson Bates 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. Created in 1808, this print presents a likeness of James Woodwood Bates rendered through mezzotint and engraving.
About this work
Overview
Created in 1808, this print presents a likeness of James Woodwood Bates rendered through mezzotint and engraving. Executed on wove paper and later mounted to a brown wove backing, the image belongs to the Saint‑Mémin Collection of Portraits, a body of work assembled by the French‑American artist Charles B. J. Févret de Saint‑Mémin. The work is now in the public domain.
Subject & Meaning
The sitter, James Woodson Bates, appears in formal attire, his expression composed and solemn. The portrait emphasizes his social standing and professional demeanor, reflecting early‑19th‑century conventions for depicting men of public service or legal prominence. By focusing on realistic detail, the image conveys a sense of personal identity and civic respectability.
Technique & Style
Saint‑Mémin combined mezzotint’s tonal richness with fine engraving lines to achieve a high degree of surface detail. The process involved roughening the plate for broad shadows, then smoothing areas to create highlights, while engraving added precise contours. The result is a sharply defined, almost photographic quality, unusual for a print produced over two centuries ago.
History & Provenance
The portrait was produced during Saint‑Mémin’s American period, when he traveled extensively to record notable figures. It entered his personal compilation of portrait prints, later catalogued as part of the Saint‑Mémin Collection. The work has remained in institutional holdings and is now freely accessible as a public‑domain image.
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.
