Artwork
Thomas Griffin
Thomas Griffin is an ink print by the Romanticist artist Charles Balthazar Julien Févret de Saint-Mémin. It dates from 1805 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art. This 1805 print by Charles B.
About this work
Overview
This 1805 print by Charles B. J. Févret de Saint-Mémin measures 5.72 × 5.56 cm and is executed in mezzotint and engraving on wove paper, mounted to brown wove paper. It is a portrait titled 'Thomas Griffin' and is part of the National Gallery of Art's Saint-Mémin Collection of Portraits.
Subject & Meaning
The portrait depicts Thomas Griffin in a profile bust view, his face turned to the left, set against a shadowy background. Notable features include his tightly curled white wig, sharp nose, and small lips, all framed by a dark coat collar.
Technique & Style
The artist achieved depth and dimensionality through cross-hatching, creating soft shadows and smooth skin textures despite the monochrome palette, lending the work a three-dimensional appearance.
History & Provenance
Created in 1805, 'Thomas Griffin' is now part of the National Gallery of Art's collection, specifically within the Saint-Mémin Collection of Portraits, indicating its attribution and current ownership.
Context
Understanding the artist, Charles B. J. Févret de Saint-Mémin, provides deeper context. Further research into his biography and oeuvre can illuminate the portrait's significance within his body of work.
Legacy
As part of a named collection within a prominent art institution, 'Thomas Griffin' contributes to the historical record of Saint-Mémin's portraiture practice, though its broader impact or influence is not explicitly detailed in the provided information.
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.
