Artwork
Unidentified Female Silhouette
Unidentified Female Silhouette is an ink print by the Romanticist artist Charles Balthazar Julien Févret de Saint-Mémin. It dates from 1797 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
About this work
This engraving shows a woman’s profile in solid black against a pale background.
This engraving shows a woman’s profile in solid black against a pale background. The artist used fine lines to shade her face and collar, not paint. You can see the paper’s texture under the ink.
Saint-Mémin made many such silhouettes in America around 1800. He copied poses from European prints, but left this woman’s name blank. The lack of color keeps the focus on her sharp profile.
Check out another print by Saint-Mémin, Charles B. J. Févret de.
Overview
Unidentified Female Silhouette is a print created by Charles B. J. Févret de Saint-Mémin in 1797, combining mezzotint and engraving techniques on wove paper.
Subject & Meaning
The print depicts the profile of an unknown woman in black against a light background, with shading achieved through fine lines rather than color or paint. The subject's identity remains unknown, as Saint-Mémin did not provide a name.
Technique & Style
The artwork showcases Saint-Mémin's use of mezzotint and engraving to create a high-contrast image, with the texture of the paper visible beneath the ink. The technique emphasizes the subject's profile, drawing attention to its sharp contours.
History & Provenance
The print is part of the Corcoran Collection and reflects Saint-Mémin's practice of creating silhouettes during his time in America around 1800, often borrowing poses from European prints.
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.
