Artwork
Robert Mills
Robert Mills 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. This 1808 mezzotint and engraving on wove paper, mounted to brown wove paper, measures 5.
About this work
Overview
This 1808 mezzotint and engraving on wove paper, mounted to brown wove paper, measures 5.72 × 5.56 cm. It portrays Robert Mills with a serious expression, dressed in simple attire, engaging the viewer directly.
Subject & Meaning
The subject, Robert Mills, is depicted in a straightforward, unadorned manner, suggesting a focus on likeness over symbolic or narrative elements. His direct gaze at the viewer implies a sense of intimacy and immediacy.
Technique & Style
Executed using mezzotint and engraving, the work leverages the former's capability for nuanced tonal variations, resulting in a detailed, textured image. The technique's complexity underscores the artist's meticulous approach.
History & Provenance
Originally painted by Charles B. J. Févret de Saint-Mémin in 1808, this mezzotint adaptation retains the essence of the original while translating it into the unique expressive qualities of the print medium.
Context
Emerging within the early 19th-century portrait tradition, this piece reflects the era's appreciation for realism and the growing accessibility of prints. The use of mezzotint aligns with period innovations in printmaking.
Legacy
While specific lasting impacts of this work are not broadly documented, it contributes to the broader legacy of mezzotint in capturing detailed, expressive portraits during its heyday.
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.
