Artwork
Samuel Murgatroyd
Samuel Murgatroyd is an ink print by the Romanticist artist Charles Balthazar Julien Févret de Saint-Mémin. It dates from 1798 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
About this work
Overview
The work is a black‑and‑white print titled Samuel Murgatroyd, executed in mezzotint and engraving. It presents a single figure within an oval format, set against an unadorned background. The image is printed on wove paper that has been mounted onto a second sheet of brown wove paper, giving it a slightly textured support.
Subject & Meaning
The sitter is depicted with a prominent nose and abundant curls, dressed in early‑nineteenth‑century attire: a high‑collared shirt, a cravat, and a coat. The focus on facial features and clothing reflects the period’s interest in documenting personal identity and social status through portraiture.
Technique & Style
Charles B. J. Févret de Saint‑Mémin employed the mezzotint process to achieve rich tonal gradations, while the engraving adds fine linear detail, especially in the hair and garments. The combination of these methods allows for a nuanced rendering of texture and depth within the monochrome medium.
History & Provenance
Created by Saint‑Mémin, a French artist known for his portrait prints of American subjects, the image was produced as a contemporary giclée reproduction of the original print. Its current mounting on brown wove paper suggests a later conservation or presentation choice, though the exact ownership trail is not documented.
Context
Portrait prints in the early 1800s served both as personal keepsakes and as a means of circulating the likenesses of notable individuals. Saint‑Mémin’s work fits within this tradition, offering a detailed visual record that aligns with the era’s emphasis on realistic representation and sartorial detail.
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.
