Artwork
Philip Rootes Thompson
Philip Rootes Thompson is an ink print by the Romanticist artist Charles Balthazar Julien Févret de Saint-Mémin. It dates from 1806 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art. The work is a black‑and‑white print portraying a male sitter in strict profile.
About this work
Overview
The work is a black‑and‑white print portraying a male sitter in strict profile. Executed on wove paper that has been mounted to a brown backing, the image presents a sharply rendered face with a pronounced nose and a high, turned‑up collar. The composition is confined to the figure’s outline, emphasizing the sitter’s features without background detail.
Subject & Meaning
The portrait captures an adult man in a formal, side‑view pose typical of early nineteenth‑century portraiture. The sitter’s dignified bearing and precise rendering suggest an intention to convey status and character, while the lack of ornamental surroundings focuses attention on his facial expression and attire, underscoring the individual’s personal identity.
Technique & Style
Created through a combination of mezzotint and engraving, the image employs fine cross‑hatching to model subtle tonal transitions across the face. Mezzotint allows the artist to build a velvety gradation from deep black to delicate gray, while the engraved lines add definition. The result is a crisp, almost photographic likeness achieved with meticulous line work.
History & Provenance
The print was produced by Charles B. J. Févret de Saint‑Mémin, an artist noted for his portrait prints. It is presently held within the Corcoran Collection, indicating its inclusion in a significant institutional assemblage of American art. The work reflects Saint‑Mémin’s practice of documenting notable individuals of his era.
Context
Saint‑Mémin’s prints often served as visual records of prominent figures in the early United States, bridging European printmaking techniques with American subjects. This portrait aligns with that tradition, offering a formal visual document that complements contemporary written accounts of the sitter’s social standing.
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.
