Artwork
Samuel Hazlehurst
Samuel Hazlehurst is an ink print by the Romanticist artist Charles Balthazar Julien Févret de Saint-Mémin. It dates from 1800 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
About this work
Overview
This 1800 portrait of Samuel Hazlehurst, created by Charles B. J. Févret de Saint-Mémin, is a compact, monochromatic print measuring 5.56 × 5.56 cm. Executed in mezzotint and engraving on wove paper, it is mounted on brown wove paper.
Subject & Meaning
The portrait presents a profile view of Samuel Hazlehurst, suggesting a focus on likeness and individual characterization rather than narrative or symbolic content. The choice of profile may imply a sense of formality or traditional representation.
Technique & Style
The artwork showcases intricate line work to achieve detailed texture and shading, hallmark techniques of engraving. The use of mezzotint alongside engraving would have facilitated the subtle gradations of tone visible in the print.
History & Provenance
Created in 1800 by French artist Charles B. J. Févret de Saint-Mémin, specific details regarding the portrait’s commission, exhibition history, or ownership prior to its current location are not provided.
Context
This portrait reflects late 18th-century European printmaking practices, where mezzotint and engraving were valued for their ability to produce high-quality, detailed reproductions of portraits for wider dissemination.
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.
