Artwork
Philip Fister
Philip Fister 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
Philip Fister is a small, square print (5.56 × 5.56 cm) created in 1808 using mezzotint and engraving techniques on wove paper, mounted to brown wove paper. It is attributed to Charles B. J. Févret de Saint-Mémin.
Subject & Meaning
The print depicts a portrait of Philip Fister, shown in a tight, background-less crop, facing right. He wears a dark coat and a high white collar, conveyed through rich black ink on cream paper. The subject's calm gaze is the central focus.
Technique & Style
The artwork utilizes mezzotint to achieve smooth, even shadows, with tiny dots blending to create lifelike facial tones. This technique, combined with engraving, contributes to the print's detailed and nuanced portrayal.
History & Provenance
Philip Fister is part of the Corcoran Collection and is digitally available on Google Arts & Culture. Specifics of its creation context or the sitter's identity beyond the portrait are not detailed in available information.
Context
For broader insight into the artist's oeuvre, Saint-Mémin's other portraits can be found at the National Gallery of Art, Washington, showcasing his consistent approach to capturing subjects through precise printmaking techniques.
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.
