Charles Balthazar Julien Févret de Saint-Mémin
Charles Balthazar Julien Févret de Saint-Mémin
1801
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
Charles Balthazar Julien Févret de Saint-Mémin
1801
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
This engraving shows a man’s face in three-quarter view, shaded with soft black ink. He has high cheekbones and a calm expression, his hair pulled back neatly. The artist used a technique called mezzotint. It makes deep shadows and smooth gradations without lines. Mezzotint was rare in America at the time. The artist learned it in Europe before bringing it to the U.S. It’s known for rich, velvety tones. Look up the technique called cross-hatching to see how lines can build light and shade.
