Artwork
Alexander Macomb
Alexander Macomb is an ink print by the Romanticist artist Charles B. J. Févret de Saint-Mémin. It dates from 1796 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
- Inscription
- Inscribed:lower center in plate: St. Memin & Valdenuit No. 11. Fair St. N. York; lower center mount in black ink by unknown hand: Alex. Mac. Comb.
About this work
Overview
This portrait print depicts Alexander Macomb, created through a combination of mezzotint and engraving techniques on wove paper. The artwork is relatively small, measuring approximately 5.7 cm in width.
Subject & Meaning
The portrait focuses on Macomb's facial features, dressed in attire with a high collar, suggesting a formal representation. The level of detail achieved through the printing technique emphasizes the subject's likeness.
Technique & Style
The use of mezzotint and engraving in black ink allows for rich shading, creating depth in the portrait. This technique enables detailed renderings in a compact format, characteristic of the artist's style.
History & Provenance
The portrait was created in 1809 by Charles Balthazar Julien Févret de Saint-Mémin, a notable artist of the time. The specific history and subsequent ownership of the print are not detailed here.
Own this work as a print
Artist & collection
Artist
Charles B. J. Févret de Saint-Mémin
Charles Balthazar Julien Févret de Saint-Mémin (French pronunciation: ; 1770–1852) was a French portrait painter and museum director.
