Artwork
Thomas Tudor Tucker
Thomas Tudor Tucker 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.
About this work
Overview
The work is a black-and-white print depicting Thomas Tudor Tucker, a prominent early‑American statesman. Executed in 1805, the image presents Tucker in a dark coat with a white collar against an unadorned backdrop, his expression solemn and his features illuminated by subtle shading. The portrait is mounted on brown‑toned wove paper, giving the composition a warm tonal base.
Subject & Meaning
Thomas Tudor Tucker is shown in formal attire typical of the early nineteenth‑century American elite, emphasizing his public role and dignified bearing. The plain background directs attention to his face, where a tightly pressed mouth conveys seriousness, reflecting the gravitas associated with his political career.
Technique & Style
The image combines mezzotint and engraving methods, allowing the artist to render delicate tonal gradations through fine lines and stippling. This approach creates a soft, three‑dimensional quality on Tucker’s visage, while the overall composition adheres to the restrained portrait conventions of the period. The brown‑tinged mounting paper adds a subtle warmth that balances the stark black ink.
History & Provenance
Created by Charles B. J. Févret de Saint‑Mémin, a French‑born engraver active in the United States, the print entered the collection of the National Gallery of Art, where it remains catalogued as an example of early American mezzotint portraiture.
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.
