Artwork
Jonathan Brace, Jr.
Jonathan Brace, Jr. is an ink print by the Romanticist artist Charles Balthazar Julien Févret de Saint-Mémin. It dates from 1800 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art. Created in 1800 by Charles B.
About this work
Overview
Created in 1800 by Charles B. J. Févret de Saint‑Mémin, this small mezzotint and engraving measures 5.56 × 5.56 cm. Printed on wove paper and mounted to a brown wove backing, the work presents a tightly focused portrait of a man rendered in fine black tones.
Subject & Meaning
The figure is a middle‑aged gentleman with wavy hair, a pronounced nose and a strong jaw, dressed in a dark coat and white cravat. His expression is severe, suggesting a formal or official bearing typical of early‑nineteenth‑century portraiture.
Technique & Style
Saint‑Mémin combined mezzotint’s rich tonal gradations with line engraving to achieve delicate modeling of facial features and clothing. The contrast between deep shadows and crisp highlights creates a three‑dimensional effect despite the work’s modest dimensions, exemplifying the printmaker’s skill in rendering texture and fabric.
History & Provenance
The portrait was produced in the United States during a period when Saint‑Mémin, a French émigré, documented American elites. Though specific ownership records are scarce, the piece reflects the artist’s broader series of engraved likenesses commissioned by prominent individuals of the era.
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.
