Artwork
John Irving
John Irving is an ink print by the Romanticist artist Charles Balthazar Julien Févret de Saint-Mémin. It dates from 1809 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
About this work
Overview
The work depicts John Irving in a formal portrait rendered in black mezzotint and engraving on wove paper, later mounted on a brown wove backing. Executed by Charles B. J. Févret de Saint‑MÉmin, the image presents Irving facing the viewer with meticulous attention to facial features and attire, creating a lifelike representation within the limits of the print medium.
Subject & Meaning
John Irving, identified by his dress and bearing, is shown in a dignified pose that emphasizes his social standing. The direct gaze and composed expression suggest a portrait intended to convey respectability and personal stature, typical of early nineteenth‑century portraiture of notable individuals.
Technique & Style
Saint‑MÉmin combined mezzotint’s tonal richness with fine engraving lines to achieve a broad range of shadows and textures. The mezzotint ground supplies deep, velvety blacks, while the engraved details define clothing folds and facial nuances, resulting in a nuanced surface that balances depth with precise line work.
History & Provenance
The print forms part of the Corcoran Collection, having been acquired by the museum through its historic holdings of American portraiture. Its mounting on brown wove paper reflects a common conservation practice for preserving delicate mezzotint impressions.
Context
Created during a period when mezzotint was prized for its ability to render subtle gradations, the portrait aligns with Saint‑MÉmin’s broader oeuvre of engraved likenesses of prominent figures. The work illustrates the intersection of European print techniques with American portrait commissions in the early 1800s.
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.
