Artwork
Mary Little Gray Clinton
Mary Little Gray Clinton is an ink print by the Romanticist artist Charles Balthazar Julien Févret de Saint-Mémin. It dates from 1798 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
About this work
Overview
Mary Little Gray Clinton is a small, circular portrait print measuring 5.5 × 5.5 cm, created by Charles B. J. Févret de Saint-Mémin in 1798 using mezzotint and engraving techniques on wove paper, mounted to brown wove paper.
Subject & Meaning
The portrait depicts a woman, likely Mary Little Gray Clinton, with her hair pulled back, wearing a white dress. The subject's expression and the artist's intent behind the work are not explicitly documented, leaving interpretation focused on the technical achievement.
Technique & Style
The print showcases the artist's mastery of mezzotint, characterized by fine lines that create subtle, realistic shading on the subject's face. This technique, which produces soft, glowing shadows, was notoriously challenging and is rarely used by contemporary artists.
History & Provenance
The work is part of the Corcoran Collection, indicating its historical significance and preservation within a notable art collection. Specific details about the subject's life or the commissioning of the work are not provided.
Context
Created in 1798, the piece reflects the portrait practices of its time, emphasizing detail and realism through innovative printmaking techniques. The use of mezzotint was particularly popular among artists seeking to achieve high levels of tonal depth in their work.
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.
