Artwork
Unidentified Man
Unidentified Man is an ink print by the Romanticist artist Charles Balthazar Julien Févret de Saint-Mémin. It dates from 1808 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
About this work
Overview
Unidentified Man is a circular print by Charles B. J. Févret de Saint-Mémin, created around 1800, featuring a profile view of a man's head and upper torso.
Subject & Meaning
The subject, a man of unidentified identity, is portrayed in formal attire, consisting of a dark coat and a light cravat, suggesting a certain social standing.
Technique & Style
Executed in mezzotint and engraving on wove paper, the work showcases fine details, highlighting the artist's skill in these techniques, characteristic of precise portraitures of the time.
History & Provenance
Part of a series of small circular portraits by the artist, the print's specific ownership history prior to its current collection is not detailed here.
Context
Created circa 1800, the work reflects the portrait conventions of the late 18th to early 19th century, emphasizing detail and formality.
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.
