Artwork
William Clarke Sommerville
William Clarke Sommerville 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. Created in 1808, this small mezzotint and engraving measures just over five and a half centimeters square.
About this work
Overview
Created in 1808, this small mezzotint and engraving measures just over five and a half centimeters square. Executed by Charles B. J. Févret de Saint‑Mémin, it depicts a gentleman dressed in a dark coat with a high white collar, his expression composed and illuminated from one side against an unadorned dark background.
Subject & Meaning
The portrait presents an individual whose calm demeanor and modest attire suggest a private citizen rather than a public figure. The plain backdrop focuses attention on the sitter’s face and clothing, emphasizing personal presence over narrative context.
Technique & Style
Saint‑Mémin employed the mezzotint method, a tonal engraving technique prized for its capacity to render subtle gradations of light. Fine cross‑hatching and delicate line work build the texture of the coat and the nuanced shading of the face, characteristic of early‑nineteenth‑century portrait prints.
History & Provenance
The print is part of the Saint‑Mémin Collection, assembled by the artist’s descendants and now housed in the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C. Its inclusion in this collection reflects the historical value placed on Saint‑Mémin’s portraiture within American and European print traditions.
Context
During the early 1800s, mezzotint portraits were a popular means of disseminating likenesses before the rise of photography. Artists like Saint‑Mémin catered to a market that desired affordable, yet finely rendered, personal images for private ownership.
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.
