Artwork

de Villers

de Villers, by Charles B. J. Févret de Saint-Mémin, ink, 1801
de Villers, by Charles B. J. Févret de Saint-Mémin, ink, 1801

de Villers is an ink print by the Romanticist artist Charles B. J. Févret de Saint-Mémin. It dates from 1801 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.

Inscription
Inscribed:lower center in plate: Drawn & engrd. by St. Memin Philada.; lower center mount in black ink by unknown hand: Petit de Willers. / V

About this work

Overview

This 1801 print, 'de Villers', is a monochrome portrait created by Charles B. J. Févret de Saint-Mémin using mezzotint and engraving techniques on wove paper.

Subject & Meaning

The portrait depicts a man in profile, characterized by his sharp nose, styled curls, and high-collared coat, set against a plain dark background.

Technique & Style

The artist employed mezzotint, roughening a metal plate to achieve soft shadows and polishing areas to create highlights, resulting in a highly detailed and realistic image for its time.

History & Provenance

The print is part of the National Gallery of Art's collection.

Artist & collection

Portrait of Charles B. J. Févret de Saint-Mémin

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.

This work is in the public domain (CC0). Image source: National Gallery of Art open access. Spotted an error in this record? Tell us.

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Frequently asked questions

Who painted de Villers?

de Villers was painted by Charles B. J. Févret de Saint-Mémin in 1801.

Where can I see de Villers?

de Villers is held by National Gallery of Art.

What movement is de Villers?

de Villers is associated with Romanticism.

Can I buy a print of de Villers?

Museum-quality prints of de Villers are available made-to-order from Artifact World Gallery.