Artwork
Trigant, Sr.
Trigant, Sr. is an ink print by the Romanticist artist Charles Balthazar Julien Févret de Saint-Mémin. It dates from 1801 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
About this work
Overview
Created in 1801, this print titled Trigant, Sr. is a black-and-white mezzotint and engraving mounted on wove paper. The work is attributed to French artist Charles B. J. Févret de Saint‑Mémin and presents a solitary figure rendered in profile. The composition is executed entirely in tonal gradations, emphasizing the sitter’s facial features and attire.
Subject & Meaning
The image portrays a single individual, shown from the side, allowing a clear view of the profile’s contours. While the identity of the sitter is not detailed in the surviving record, the formal pose and careful rendering suggest a portrait intended for personal or familial commemoration, typical of early‑nineteenth‑century portraiture.
Technique & Style
Saint‑Mémin employed a combined mezzotint and line‑engraving process on a metal plate, a labor‑intensive method that permits subtle tonal variation. After the mezzotint ground was roughened, the artist incised fine lines to define details, then printed the image onto wove paper, which was subsequently adhered to a brown‑toned backing sheet, enhancing contrast and durability.
History & Provenance
The print originates from the period when Saint‑Mémin was active in the United States, producing portraits of notable figures. Though specific ownership records for Trigant, Sr. are scarce, the work is catalogued among his American series, reflecting his transatlantic career and the demand for engraved likenesses in the early 1800s.
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.
