Artwork
Unidentified Man
Unidentified Man is an ink print by the Romanticist artist Charles Balthazar Julien Févret de Saint-Mémin. It dates from 1800 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art. Charles B.
About this work
Overview
Charles B. J. Févret de Saint‑Mémin’s print titled “Unidentified Man” is a small, circular image executed in mezzotint and engraving. Rendered entirely in black on wove paper that has been mounted to a brown‑toned backing, the work dates from around the turn of the nineteenth century. It belongs to a series of similarly sized portrait studies produced by the artist.
Subject & Meaning
The image presents a male sitter in strict profile, showing only the head and upper torso. He is dressed in a dark coat complemented by a light‑coloured cravat, typical of contemporary gentleman’s attire. No name or identifying inscription accompanies the portrait, leaving the figure’s identity and the purpose of his depiction open to speculation.
Technique & Style
Saint‑Mémin combined mezzotint’s tonal richness with the linear precision of engraving, achieving a nuanced gradation of shadows against a stark black surface. The circular format focuses attention on the sitter’s profile, while the contrast between the dark coat and the pale cravat highlights the play of light across the figure’s features.
History & Provenance
Created circa 1800, the print reflects the artist’s interest in compact, collectible portraiture that circulated among patrons and connoisseurs. It remains part of a larger collection of small circular portraits attributed to Saint‑Mémin, though specific ownership records for this individual piece are not documented in the available sources.
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.
