Artwork

Mary Ann Smith Gilmor

Mary Ann Smith Gilmor, by Charles Balthazar Julien Févret de Saint-Mémin, ink, 1803
Mary Ann Smith Gilmor, by Charles Balthazar Julien Févret de Saint-Mémin, ink, 1803

Mary Ann Smith Gilmor is an ink print by the Romanticist artist Charles Balthazar Julien Févret de Saint-Mémin. It dates from 1803 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art. This print, created using mezzotint and engraving techniques, depicts a woman's profile on aged paper.

About this work

You see a woman’s side profile on aged paper. Light hits her face just right. The artist used fine lines to shade her cheek and hair.

This print style, called mezzotint, lets artists create smooth tones. It was big in America around 1800. The work is small but full of detail.

Look up this artist next. Saint-Mémin, Charles B. J. Févret de

Overview

This print, created using mezzotint and engraving techniques, depicts a woman's profile on aged paper. The artwork is relatively small but features intricate details.

Subject & Meaning

The subject of the print is Mary Ann Smith Gilmor, captured in profile. The portrait showcases her features with elegance, achieved through the subtle play of light on her face.

Technique & Style

The print combines mezzotint and engraving techniques to produce a range of smooth tones, characteristic of the mezzotint style that was popular in America around 1800. Fine lines are used to shade the subject's cheek and hair, creating a detailed representation.

History & Provenance

The print was created in 1803 by Charles B. J. Févret de Saint-Mémin and is part of the Corcoran Collection.

Artist & collection

This work is in the public domain (CC0). Image source: National Gallery of Art open access. Spotted an error in this record? Tell us.