Artwork
John R. Comegys
John R. Comegys 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. This early nineteenth‑century print presents John R.
About this work
Overview
This early nineteenth‑century print presents John R. Comegys in a restrained profile view. Executed in mezzotint and engraving on wove paper, the image captures the sitter’s facial features and upper torso with a calm, composed demeanor.
Subject & Meaning
Comegys is depicted with short, wavy hair and a faint smile, suggesting a modest confidence. He wears a dark coat featuring a high, standing collar and a white cravat, attire typical of genteel male fashion of the period, underscoring his social standing.
Technique & Style
The work combines mezzotint’s rich tonal gradations with the linear precision of engraving, allowing subtle shading of the face and clothing while retaining crisp outlines. The use of black ink on wove paper, later mounted to a brown backing, highlights the contrast between light and shadow characteristic of early American portrait prints.
History & Provenance
Created circa 1807 by French‑born American artist Charles B. J. Févret de Saint‑Mémin, the portrait reflects his practice of rendering American subjects in the European mezzotint tradition. The print has remained in the museum’s collection, documenting both the sitter’s likeness and the transatlantic exchange of artistic techniques.
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.
