Artwork
Thomas Cochran
Thomas Cochran is an ink print by the Romanticist artist Charles Balthazar Julien Févret de Saint-Mémin. It dates from 1809 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art. Charles B.
About this work
Overview
Charles B. J. Févret de Saint‑Mémin’s 1809 portrait of Thomas Cochran is a black‑and‑white print executed in mezzotint and engraving. The image is printed on wove paper, later mounted on a second sheet of brown wove paper, and is part of the National Gallery of Art’s collection.
Subject & Meaning
The work depicts Thomas Cochran, a man rendered with a solemn expression and dressed in attire that suggests an earlier era. The careful rendering of his features and clothing conveys a sense of dignity and formality typical of early‑19th‑century portraiture.
Technique & Style
Saint‑Mémin combined mezzotint’s tonal richness with fine engraving lines to achieve a high level of detail. The mezzotint background provides subtle gradations of shadow, while the engraved outlines define facial features and fabric textures, resulting in a realistic yet controlled visual effect.
History & Provenance
Created in 1809, the print reflects Saint‑Mémin’s reputation as a skilled portraitist during the Napoleonic period. It entered the National Gallery of Art’s holdings through acquisition, where it remains accessible for study of early American portrait prints and the artist’s printmaking methods.
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.
