Artwork
Joseph Lewden
Joseph Lewden is an ink print by the Romanticist artist Charles Balthazar Julien Févret de Saint-Mémin. It dates from 1802 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art. Created in 1802, this black-and-white print by Charles B.
About this work
Overview
Created in 1802, this black-and-white print by Charles B. J. Févret de Saint‑Mémin presents a half‑length portrait of a man named Joseph Lewden. Executed as a mezzotint and engraving on wove paper that has been mounted to a brown wove backing, the work measures the typical size of early‑19th‑century portrait prints and exemplifies the artist’s focus on individual likeness.
Technique & Style
Saint‑Mémin combined mezzotint’s rich tonal gradations with the linear precision of engraving, allowing subtle modeling of facial features and the texture of clothing. The print’s fine hatching captures the folds of the subject’s attire and the individual strands of hair, while the deep blacks of the mezzotint provide a quiet, intimate atmosphere without resorting to ornamental excess.
Subject & Meaning
The sitter, identified as Joseph Lewden, is shown from the chest upward, gazing directly at the viewer with a composed expression. The straightforward pose and lack of background detail focus attention on his personal presence, suggesting a desire to convey character and status through careful observation rather than symbolic attributes.
History & Provenance
The portrait was produced during Saint‑Mémin’s period in the United States, when he documented numerous American figures. While specific ownership records for this particular print are limited, it remains part of the broader corpus of his early‑19th‑century portraiture, which circulated among collectors interested in both the artist’s technical skill and the individuals he portrayed.
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.
