Artwork
William Gwynn
William Gwynn is an ink print by the Romanticist artist Charles Balthazar Julien Févret de Saint-Mémin. It dates from 1804 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art. This small print, created by Charles B.
About this work
Overview
This small print, created by Charles B. J. Févret de Saint-Mémin in 1804, measures 5.72 × 5.72 cm and is part of the Corcoran Collection. It is a mezzotint and engraving on wove paper, mounted to brown wove paper.
Subject & Meaning
The print depicts a man in profile, wearing a coat and having neatly styled hair. The subject's face is softly illuminated, evoking a pre-photographic era.
Technique & Style
The artwork employs mezzotint and engraving techniques to achieve shades of gray through tiny dots and lines, creating a nuanced representation of the subject's face with minimal marks.
Context
Mezzotint was a popular technique in the early 19th century for producing prints that resembled paintings, and this work exemplifies its application.
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.
