Artwork
George Washington
George Washington is an ink print by the Romanticist artist Charles Balthazar Julien Févret de Saint-Mémin. It dates from 1800 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art. This mezzotint and engraving print, created circa 1800 by Charles B.
About this work
Overview
This mezzotint and engraving print, created circa 1800 by Charles B. J. Févret de Saint-Mémin, portrays George Washington within an oval frame against a dark brown background, with his name inscribed below in elegant script.
Subject & Meaning
The subject, George Washington, is depicted wearing a suit and adorned with a laurel wreath, a classical symbol of victory and achievement, conveying his esteemed status.
Technique & Style
The print combines mezzotint for smooth, detailed textures and expressive light-and-shadow contrasts with traditional engraving, where lines were meticulously cut into metal, resulting in a sturdy yet thin paper artwork.
History & Provenance
While specific ownership histories are not detailed here, the work's creation around 1800 places it within the early commemorative depictions of Washington, reflecting the immediate posthumous or late-life veneration of the first U.S. President.
Context
Saint-Mémin's technique and style can be fully appreciated by comparing this work with his other portraits, highlighting his mastery of mezzotint and engraving in capturing likenesses and symbolic elements.
Artist & collection
Artist
Charles Balthazar Julien Févret de Saint-Mémin
Charles Balthazar Julien Févret de Saint-Mémin (French pronunciation: ; 1770–1852) was a French portrait painter and museum director.
