Artwork

R. Philips

R. Philips, by Charles Balthazar Julien Févret de Saint-Mémin, ink, 1805
R. Philips, by Charles Balthazar Julien Févret de Saint-Mémin, ink, 1805

R. Philips is an ink print by the Romanticist artist Charles Balthazar Julien Févret de Saint-Mémin. It dates from 1805 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art. R.

About this work

Overview

R. Philips is a portrait print created by Charles B. J. Févret de Saint-Mémin in 1805, utilizing mezzotint and engraving techniques on wove paper, later mounted to brown wove paper. The work is remarkably small, measuring 5.56 × 5.56 cm.

Subject & Meaning

The subject of the portrait is R. Philips, though specific details about the individual's identity or the context of the portrait's creation are not provided in the available information.

Technique & Style

Notably, despite its diminutive size, the portrait achieves a high level of detail, exemplifying the artist's skill in working with constrained formats. This characteristic is emblematic of Saint-Mémin's approach to miniature portraiture.

History & Provenance

The provenance and historical context of R. Philips beyond its creation in 1805 by Saint-Mémin are not detailed in the provided sources.

Context

R. Philips reflects the artistic practices of its time, particularly in the use of mezzotint and engraving for portraitures, common in early 19th-century European art for its replicability and detail.

Legacy

While R. Philips itself may not be widely recognized beyond art historical circles, it contributes to the broader legacy of Saint-Mémin's body of work, known for its meticulous portraits.

Artist & collection

This work is in the public domain (CC0). Image source: National Gallery of Art open access. Spotted an error in this record? Tell us.