Artwork

Franklin Davenport

Franklin Davenport, by Charles Balthazar Julien Févret de Saint-Mémin, ink, 1798
Franklin Davenport, by Charles Balthazar Julien Févret de Saint-Mémin, ink, 1798

Franklin Davenport is an ink print by the Romanticist artist Charles Balthazar Julien Févret de Saint-Mémin. It dates from 1798 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.

About this work

Overview

Franklin Davenport is a small print created by Charles B. J. Févret de Saint-Mémin in 1798, measuring 5.56 × 5.56 cm. It is a portrait executed in mezzotint and engraving on wove paper.

Subject & Meaning

The portrait depicts an American man, Franklin Davenport, in a dark coat, facing left. The subject's face is illuminated from the left, resulting in soft shadows that add depth to the image.

Technique & Style

The artist employed cross-hatching to achieve smooth tones, giving the portrait a velvety appearance. The use of mezzotint and engraving techniques allowed for detailed and precise execution.

History & Provenance

The print is now part of the collection at the National Gallery of Art, Washington.

Artist & collection

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