Artwork
MacCleary
MacCleary 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.
About this work
Overview
Executed as a mezzotint and engraving on wove paper that has been mounted onto a brown‑toned sheet, the image presents a formal portrait of its sitter.
The work titled MacCleary is a black‑and‑white print created by Charles Balthazar Julien Févret de Saint‑Mémin. Executed as a mezzotint and engraving on wove paper that has been mounted onto a brown‑toned sheet, the image presents a formal portrait of its sitter. The piece belongs to the Saint‑Mémin Collection of Portraits, a grouping of likenesses produced by the French artist during his American sojourn.
Subject & Meaning
The portrait depicts the American statesman MacCleary, a figure active in early‑19th‑century political and diplomatic circles. He is shown in formal attire, gazing directly at the viewer, a compositional choice that underscores his public role and personal gravitas. The careful rendering of facial features and clothing suggests an intention to record his status and character for posterity.
Technique & Style
Saint‑Mémin employed mezzotint—a tonal printing method that allows subtle gradations of light and shadow—combined with line engraving to achieve fine detail. The black ink on the wove paper creates a stark contrast, while the mounting on brown paper adds a muted background tone. This hybrid approach reflects the artist’s mastery of both tonal richness and precise line work typical of his portrait prints.
History & Provenance
Created in 1802, the print was produced during Saint‑Mémin’s brief residence in the United States, where he documented prominent individuals. After its completion, the image entered the artist’s personal collection of portraits, which later formed the core of the Saint‑Mémin Collection of Portraits. The work remains in that collection, serving as a documented example of early American portraiture by a European printmaker.
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.
