Artwork
Jean Auguste Marie de Chevallié
Jean Auguste Marie de Chevallié 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
Created in 1808, this black-and-white print presents a portrait of Jean Auguste Marie de Chevallié. Executed by Charles Balthazar Julien Févret de Saint‑Mémin, the work combines mezzotint and engraving techniques on wove paper that has been mounted onto a brown wove backing. It belongs to the Corcoran Collection and exemplifies early‑nineteenth‑century portrait printmaking.
Technique & Style
The image merges mezzotint’s tonal richness with the linear precision of engraving, allowing subtle gradations of light and finely rendered details. Saint‑Mémin’s handling of the medium produces a realistic surface texture, while the monochrome palette emphasizes form over color. The use of wove paper, both as the print surface and as a mounting support, contributes to a smooth, uniform finish.
Subject & Meaning
Jean Auguste Marie de Chevallié is depicted in formal attire typical of his era, his expression solemn and composed. The careful rendering of facial features and clothing suggests a person of status, likely intended to convey dignity and authority through the portrait’s restrained presentation.
History & Provenance
The print entered the Corcoran Collection, where it remains part of the institution’s holdings of early American and European prints. Its provenance traces back to the original 1808 production by Saint‑Mémin, a noted French-American artist active in portraiture during the post‑revolutionary period.
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.
