Artwork
Patience Story Wescott
Patience Story Wescott 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
Patience Story Wescott is a portrait created in 1798 by Charles B. J. Févret de Saint-Mémin, existing in both painted and printed forms. The work primarily focuses on the likeness of an older woman.
Subject & Meaning
The subject, Patience Story Wescott, is depicted with a gentle expression, her curly hair covered by a white bonnet. The intense detail on her face and attire suggests a emphasis on capturing her personal character.
Technique & Style
Originally painted, the work is also reproduced in mezzotint and engraving on black wove paper, mounted on brown wove paper. The detailed rendering of hair and clothing texture showcases the artist's skill in both mediums.
History & Provenance
Created in 1798, specific details about the artwork's history and ownership prior to its current status are not provided.
Context
The portrait reflects late 18th-century portraiture trends, emphasizing realism and personal character. The use of mezzotint and engraving facilitated wider dissemination of the image.
Legacy
The enduring presence of Patience Story Wescott in both original and printed forms suggests its continued relevance as a representation of late 18th-century portraiture techniques and aesthetics.
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.
