Artwork
Joseph Biddle Wilkinson
Joseph Biddle Wilkinson 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 in 1808, this small black-and-white print measures just over five and a half centimeters on each side.
About this work
Overview
The work exemplifies the precision achievable in early nineteenth‑century printmaking, offering a clear view of the sitter’s features within a compact format.
Created in 1808, this small black-and-white print measures just over five and a half centimeters on each side. It presents a finely rendered likeness of Joseph Biddle Wilkinson, rendered with a high degree of realism despite its modest dimensions. The work exemplifies the precision achievable in early nineteenth‑century printmaking, offering a clear view of the sitter’s features within a compact format.
Subject & Meaning
The portrait depicts Joseph Biddle Wilkinson, whose identity is conveyed through the careful rendering of facial expression and attire. While no overt symbolism is present, the attentive detail suggests an intention to document the individual’s appearance for personal or public recognition, reflecting the period’s interest in preserving likenesses of notable persons through reproducible media.
Technique & Style
Executed as a combination of mezzotint and engraving, the image employs delicate gradations of tone achieved by roughening the plate surface and then smoothing areas to create light and shadow. Fine line work adds definition, while the contrast between the white paper and deep black ink produces a sense of three‑dimensionality. The print is mounted on brown wove paper, enhancing its visual depth.
History & Provenance
The work was produced by Charles B. J. Févret de Saint‑Mémin, a French artist known for his portrait prints. Created in the early nineteenth century, the piece likely served as a means of disseminating Wilkinson’s likeness beyond a single painted portrait. Its survival on wove paper indicates careful handling, and it remains a documented example of Saint‑Mémin’s printmaking output.
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.
