Artwork
Peter Carr
Peter Carr is an ink print by the Romanticist artist Charles Balthazar Julien Févret de Saint-Mémin. It dates from 1808 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
About this work
Overview
Peter Carr is a portrait print created by Charles B. J. Févret de Saint-Mémin in 1808, utilizing mezzotint and engraving techniques on wove paper, later mounted to brown wove paper. The compact work measures 5.72 × 5.56 cm.
Subject & Meaning
The subject of the portrait is Peter Carr, depicted in a soft, gentle light set against a light background, with his dark coat rendered in textured cross-hatching, conveying a sense of depth and dimensionality.
Technique & Style
Saint-Mémin employed mezzotint to achieve rich, velvety tones, characteristic of his challenging yet effective approach to capturing lifelike portraits. The engraving's cross-hatching, particularly in the coat, adds a tactile quality.
History & Provenance
Peter Carr is part of the Corcoran Collection, indicating its inclusion in a notable art collection, though specific acquisition details are not provided here.
Context
Created in 1808, this work reflects Saint-Mémin's consistent use of mezzotint for portraits, suggesting a period preference for the technique among certain artists for its expressive capabilities.
Legacy
While specific legacy details of 'Peter Carr' are not highlighted, Saint-Mémin's overall body of work, including this piece, contributes to the historical record of mezzotint's application in early 19th-century portraiture.
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.
