Artwork
Edward Laight
Edward Laight is an ink print by the Romanticist artist Charles B. J. Févret de Saint-Mémin. It dates from 1807 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: Edward Laight.
About this work
Overview
Edward Laight is a small portrait print created in 1807 by Charles B. J. Févret de Saint-Mémin, utilizing mezzotint and engraving techniques on wove paper, later mounted to brown wove paper. The work measures 5.56 × 5.56 cm and is housed within the Corcoran Collection.
Subject & Meaning
The print depicts Edward Laight in a three-quarter left profile, set against a dark background that accentuates his white cravat. The subtle interplay of light and shadow, particularly on Laight’s jaw and forehead, adds depth to the portrait.
Technique & Style
Saint-Mémin employed mezzotint to achieve the portrait’s characteristic velvety tones, a technique involving a rocked metal plate. The process included an initial pencil drawing of Laight, followed by manual inking of the plate before printing.
History & Provenance
Created in 1807, Edward Laight is part of the Corcoran Collection, reflecting Saint-Mémin’s early 19th-century portrait work. The artist was known for crisp, detailed likenesses during this period.
Context
This work exemplifies Saint-Mémin’s contribution to early 19th-century portraiture, characterized by meticulous detail and expressive use of light and shadow. For more on the artist’s style, see other portraits from the same era.
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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.
