Artwork
John Moncreif
John Moncreif 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 between 1808 and 1809, this small print measures just 5.
About this work
Overview
The work belongs to the Corcoran Collection and exemplifies the meticulous approach of its maker, Charles B.
Created between 1808 and 1809, this small print measures just 5.72 by 5.72 centimetres. Executed in black mezzotint and engraving on wove paper that has been mounted to a brown wove backing, it presents a finely rendered portrait of a man identified as John Moncreif. The work belongs to the Corcoran Collection and exemplifies the meticulous approach of its maker, Charles B. J. Févret de Saint‑Mémin.
Subject & Meaning
The image depicts John Moncreif in modest attire, his gaze directed straight toward the viewer. The straightforward composition and unadorned dress suggest a focus on the individual’s character rather than status, inviting contemplation of personal identity within the early nineteenth‑century context in which the portrait was produced.
Technique & Style
Saint‑Mémin combined mezzotint’s rich tonal gradations with the linear precision of engraving, achieving a high level of detail despite the miniature format. The interplay of deep shadows and delicate highlights creates a convincing sense of volume, while the fine incised lines define facial features and clothing textures, illustrating the artist’s mastery of printmaking methods.
History & Provenance
The print was produced during a prolific period for Saint‑Mémin, an artist known for portraiture in the early United States. After its creation, the work entered the Corcoran Collection, where it has been preserved as part of the museum’s holdings of early American prints, reflecting both the artist’s reputation and the historical interest in documenting contemporary figures.
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.
