Artwork
William Clark
William Clark is an ink print by the Romanticist artist Charles Balthazar Julien Févret de Saint-Mémin. It dates from 1807 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
About this work
Overview
Executed as a mezzotint combined with engraving, the image is printed on wove paper that has been mounted onto a second sheet of brown wove paper.
The work is a black‑and‑white print portraying William Clark, one of the principal explorers of the early United States. Executed as a mezzotint combined with engraving, the image is printed on wove paper that has been mounted onto a second sheet of brown wove paper. The portrait is part of the Corcoran Collection, where it is displayed as a representative example of early American print portraiture.
Technique & Style
The artist employed mezzotint, a tonal method that allows for subtle gradations of light and shadow, alongside line engraving to define finer details. Printed on fine wove paper, the image benefits from the smooth surface, which enhances the delicate rendering of facial features and clothing. The mounting on brown wove paper provides a contrasting background that frames the portrait without detracting from its intricate surface work.
Subject & Meaning
William Clark, famed for co‑leading the Lewis and Clark expedition, is presented in a dignified pose that underscores his status as a national figure. The realistic treatment of his likeness reflects contemporary expectations for portraiture to convey both personal character and public authority, offering viewers a visual link to a pivotal era of American exploration and governance.
History & Provenance
Created by Charles B. J. Févret de Saint‑Mémin, a French artist active in the United States during the early nineteenth century, the print entered the Corcoran Collection at an unspecified date. Saint‑Mémin’s work is notable for documenting prominent American personalities, and this portrait of Clark continues to serve as a historical record within the museum’s holdings.
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.
