Artwork
Mary Randolph Randolph
Mary Randolph Randolph is an ink print by the Romanticist artist Charles Balthazar Julien Févret de Saint-Mémin. It dates from 1807 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
About this work
Overview
Created in 1807 by Charles Balthazar Julien Févret de Saint‑Mémin, this print presents a single figure rendered in black mezzotint and engraving on wove paper, later mounted to a brown‑toned sheet. The work measures the portrait of a woman shown in profile, her hair cut to shoulder length and arranged with a refined composure.
Subject & Meaning
The image focuses on a female sitter, depicted in a calm, contemplative pose. Her serene expression and the careful rendering of her attire suggest an intention to convey dignity and poise, typical of early‑nineteenth‑century portraiture that emphasized the social standing and personal virtues of the subject.
Technique & Style
Saint‑Mémin employed a combination of mezzotint and line engraving, allowing for subtle tonal gradations alongside precise incised detail. The black ink on the smooth wove surface creates a delicate contrast, while the mounting on brown paper adds a muted background that frames the figure without detracting from the intricate treatment of hair and clothing.
History & Provenance
The portrait was produced during Saint‑Mémin’s American period, when he documented numerous individuals of the new republic. Though specific ownership records are limited, the work has been catalogued among his series of engraved likenesses, reflecting his practice of creating durable, reproducible images for both private and public circulation.
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.
