Artwork
Unidentified Man
Unidentified Man is an ink print by the Romanticist artist Charles Balthazar Julien Févret de Saint-Mémin. It dates from 1796 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art. Created between 1796 and 1797, this black mezzotint and engraving presents a solitary male figure in left‑facing profile.
About this work
You can learn more about this style by looking into the work of artist: Saint-Mémin, Charles B.
This painting shows a man's profile, looking to the left.
He's dressed in formal clothes.
The artist paid close attention to the details of his face and outfit.
The Neoclassical style is evident in this portrait. It was a time when artists focused on elegance and individuality. This style was popular during the late 18th century.
You can learn more about this style by looking into the work of artist: Saint-Mémin, Charles B. J. Févret de.
Overview
Created between 1796 and 1797, this black mezzotint and engraving presents a solitary male figure in left‑facing profile. Rendered on wove paper that has been mounted to a brown‑toned support, the image exemplifies the precise, restrained aesthetic of late‑eighteenth‑century portraiture, focusing on the sitter’s individual presence without narrative distraction.
Subject & Meaning
The work portrays an unidentified gentleman dressed in formal attire, his facial features rendered with careful attention to line and shading. The portrait’s emphasis on personal dignity and refined appearance reflects the Neoclassical preoccupation with the moral and aesthetic virtues of the individual, a common theme in portraiture of the period.
Technique & Style
Employing both mezzotint and engraving, the artist achieved a rich tonal range through delicate gradations of black ink on wove paper. The combination of these printmaking methods allowed for fine detail in the sitter’s features and clothing, while the overall composition adheres to Neoclassical ideals of clarity, balance, and restrained ornamentation.
History & Provenance
Attributed to Charles B. J. Févret de Saint‑Mémin, a French émigré known for his portrait prints, the piece likely originated in the artist’s American period following his exile after the French Revolution. Its precise dating to 1796–1797 situates it among Saint‑Mémin’s early American output, though the sitter’s identity remains unknown.
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.
