Artwork
Ann Beekman
Ann Beekman 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. Charles B.
- Inscription
- Inscribed:lower center in plate: St. Memin & Valdenuit No. 11 Fair St. N. York.; lower center mount in black ink by unknown hand: Miss Beekman.
About this work
Overview
Charles B. J. Févret de Saint‑Mémin’s print titled “Ann Beekman” presents a single female sitter in profile. Rendered in black mezzotint and engraving on wove paper, the image is mounted on a brown backing sheet. The composition is restrained, with the figure set against an unadorned dark field that draws attention to her form.
Subject & Meaning
The portrait shows a woman dressed in an elaborate costume, her attire highlighted by fine lacework and ornamental jewelry. Her coiffure is rendered with considerable detail, suggesting a concern for fashion and status. The profile pose, typical of neoclassical portraiture, emphasizes the sitter’s facial features and the elegance of her dress.
Technique & Style
Executed through mezzotint, a tonal printing method that allows subtle gradations of shade, combined with line engraving, the work achieves a delicate balance between soft modeling and crisp detailing. The artist’s handling of the dark background creates a stark contrast that accentuates the intricate patterns of lace and the sheen of the jewelry, characteristic of early‑19th‑century neoclassical prints.
Context
Created during a period when portrait prints served both as personal commemoration and as a means of disseminating fashionable imagery, the image reflects contemporary tastes for refined attire and elaborate hairstyles. Saint‑Mémin, known for his portraiture, employed the mezzotint technique to convey a sense of depth and realism within the limited palette of black ink.
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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.
