Artwork
Samson Levy, Jr.
Samson Levy, Jr. is an ink print by the Romanticist artist Charles Balthazar Julien Févret de Saint-Mémin. It dates from 1802 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
About this work
Overview
Samson Levy, Jr. is a portrait print created using mezzotint and engraving techniques on black wove paper, mounted on brown wove paper. The work depicts a man seated in profile, dressed in attire characteristic of an earlier era.
Subject & Meaning
The subject of the portrait is Samson Levy, Jr., shown seated in a chair with his body turned to the side, conveying a sense of formality and solemnity through his posture and traditional clothing.
Technique & Style
The print showcases traditional printmaking techniques of its time, with mezzotint and engraving combined to achieve detailed, high-contrast imagery, reflecting the artist's adherence to established methods.
History & Provenance
Samson Levy, Jr. is part of the Corcoran Collection, currently housed at the National Gallery of Art, indicating its integration into a significant American art collection.
Context
Created during a period when mezzotint and engraving were still evolving techniques, the work demonstrates the artist's proficiency with these methods, which were relatively new at the time of its creation.
Legacy
Attributed to Charles B. J. Févret de Saint-Mémin, the print offers insight into the artist's portfolio and the broader practice of portrait printmaking during its era, though its specific impact or renown within the artist's oeuvre is not detailed here.
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.
