Artwork
Thomas Webster
Thomas Webster 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.
About this work
Overview
Created in 1803, this mezzotint and engraving presents a profile view of Thomas Webster, rendered in black on wove paper that has been mounted to a brown backing. The image captures Webster from the chest upward, his gaze directed straight ahead, offering a formal yet restrained likeness typical of early‑19th‑century portraiture.
Subject & Meaning
The work focuses on Webster’s upper torso and face, emphasizing his calm expression and dignified bearing. By presenting him in a straightforward, frontal pose, the print conveys a sense of personal integrity and social standing, aligning with contemporary expectations for portraiture of notable individuals.
Technique & Style
Executed through mezzotint and line engraving, the artist achieved a rich tonal range by varying the density of etched dots and incised lines. The black ink on the wove paper yields subtle gradations that model facial features and clothing, while the mounting on brown paper provides a muted background that enhances the figure’s prominence.
History & Provenance
The print was produced by Charles B. J. Févret de Saint‑Mémin, a French‑born artist who settled in the United States after the Revolution. Known for his portrait prints of American figures, Saint‑Mémin’s rendition of Webster reflects his practice of creating detailed, lifelike images for a transatlantic clientele.
Context
During the early 1800s, mezzotint was a favored medium for disseminating portraiture, allowing a single image to reach a wider audience than a painted canvas. Saint‑Mémin’s work fits within this trend, offering an accessible visual record of a person of regional importance at a time when printed portraits served both documentary and decorative purposes.
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.
