Artwork
Eugene Lucet
Eugene Lucet 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.
- Inscription
- Inscribed:lower center in plate: Drawn by Valdenuit & engraved by St. Memin No. 11 Fair St. N. York.; lower center mount in black ink by unknown hand: Eugene Lucet.
About this work
Overview
Eugene Lucet is a small print created by Charles B. J. Févret de Saint-Mémin in 1796, combining mezzotint and engraving techniques on wove paper. It measures 5.4 × 5.4 cm and is part of the Corcoran Collection at the National Gallery of Art.
Technique & Style
The print was made by scratching lines onto a metal plate with a steel needle and then inking it. Mezzotint technique involves roughening the metal to hold ink, with tiny pits printing darker and smoother areas remaining lighter, allowing for smooth tonal transitions.
Subject & Meaning
The print depicts a man's face in three-quarter view, with shadows under his cheek and jaw giving his features depth. The use of chiaroscuro creates a sense of volume and presence.
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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.
