Artwork
Louis Anastasius Tarascon
Louis Anastasius Tarascon is an ink print by the Romanticist artist Charles Balthazar Julien Févret de Saint-Mémin. It dates from 1801 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art. Created in 1801, this small print measures just over five and a half centimeters on each side.
About this work
Overview
Created in 1801, this small print measures just over five and a half centimeters on each side. Executed by Charles B. J. Févret de Saint‑Mémin, it combines mezzotint and engraving techniques on wove paper that has been mounted to a brown backing. The work presents a tightly framed portrait of a male sitter, rendered in fine black lines and tonal shading.
Subject & Meaning
The figure is shown in a direct, frontal pose, his gaze meeting the viewer. A pronounced nasal feature dominates the composition, while the eyes are rendered comparatively small. The meticulous rendering of hair, clothing, and facial details suggests an interest in character study, emphasizing individual physiognomy rather than allegorical content.
Technique & Style
The print merges mezzotint’s rich, velvety tonal gradations with the linear precision of engraving. By working on wove paper and then adhering it to a brown sheet, the artist achieved a stable surface for fine incisions. The dense line work outlines the subject’s features, while the mezzotint areas provide subtle shading that models the face’s volume.
History & Provenance
Attributed to the French artist Charles B. J. Févret de Saint‑Mémin, the piece originates from the early nineteenth‑century period of portrait prints that circulated among collectors. No specific ownership record accompanies the work, but its format and execution align with the artist’s known output of portraiture prints produced for private patronage.
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.
