Artwork
Thorowgood Smith
Thorowgood Smith is an ink print by the Romanticist artist Charles Balthazar Julien Févret de Saint-Mémin. It dates from 1804 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
About this work
Overview
Thorowgood Smith is a portrait print created in 1804 by Charles B. J. Févret de Saint-Mémin, depicting the subject's upper body in profile, facing left, with meticulous attention to facial features and attire.
Subject & Meaning
The subject, Thorowgood Smith, is presented in formal dress, suggesting a portrayal of dignity or professional stature, though the specific context or symbolism behind the choice of profile view and attire is not immediately clear from the work itself.
Technique & Style
The print combines mezzotint and engraving techniques on black wove paper, mounted to brown wove paper, leveraging the former for rich tonal depths and the latter for precise line work, resulting in a highly detailed image.
History & Provenance
The artwork is part of the Corcoran Collection, indicating its inclusion in a notable art collection, though specific details about its creation context, exhibitions, or previous ownership are not provided.
Context
For insight into the artist's technical approach, particularly the blend of mezzotint and engraving, reference materials at the National Gallery of Art, Washington, may offer additional context and examples of similar techniques in contemporary art.
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.
