Artwork
William Poyntell
William Poyntell 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. Created in 1807, this small black-and-white print measures just over five and a half centimeters on each side.
About this work
Overview
Created in 1807, this small black-and-white print measures just over five and a half centimeters on each side. Executed in mezzotint and engraving on wove paper that is mounted to a brown backing, the work depicts a solitary male figure in a dark coat. The composition is compact, with the sitter turned toward the left, his expression composed and his features rendered in subtle tonal gradations.
Subject & Meaning
The lighting, falling across his face, creates gentle shadows that define the jawline and nose, lending a sense of three-dimensional presence.
The portrait presents a gentleman whose calm gaze and closed mouth suggest a restrained demeanor. The lighting, falling across his face, creates gentle shadows that define the jawline and nose, lending a sense of three-dimensional presence. While no explicit narrative accompanies the image, the dignified pose and attire imply a portrayal of social standing or personal identity typical of early nineteenth‑century portraiture.
Technique & Style
The artist employed a combination of mezzotint and fine engraving, using cross‑hatching to build tonal depth. This method allows for smooth transitions between light and dark, giving the skin a lifelike texture despite the monochrome medium. The delicate line work and careful modulation of ink produce a nuanced surface that captures both the materiality of the coat and the softness of the facial features.
History & Provenance
Attributed to Charles B. J. Févret de Saint‑Mémin, a noted French engraver active in the early 1800s, the print forms part of the Corcoran Collection. Although the work itself bears no date, scholarly consensus places its creation in 1807 based on stylistic analysis and the artist’s known output during that period. It remains a documented example of Saint‑Mémin’s portrait prints.
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.
