Artwork
Archibald Pleasants, Jr.
Archibald Pleasants, Jr. is an ink print by the Romanticist artist Charles B. J. Févret de Saint-Mémin. It dates from 1808 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
- Inscription
- Inscribed:lower center mount in black ink by unknown hand: Archibald Pleasants.
About this work
Overview
This small print is a portrait of Archibald Pleasants, Jr., created by Charles B. J. Févret de Saint-Mémin in 1808 using mezzotint and engraving techniques on wove paper.
Technique & Style
The print showcases the mezzotint process, where a metal plate is scratched and smoothed to achieve deep shadows and smooth lines, giving the image a velvety texture. The technique allowed Saint-Mémin to work quickly, producing hundreds of portraits.
Subject & Meaning
The portrait depicts Archibald Pleasants, Jr. in a dark coat and white cravat, facing left with a serious expression, capturing his likeness in a straightforward yet nuanced manner.
History & Provenance
The print was created in 1808 and measures 5.72 × 5.56 cm. The unevenly cut edges of the paper suggest that it was trimmed before being mounted on brown wove paper, a common practice for engravings at the time.
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.
