Artwork
Gerrit Boon
Gerrit Boon 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. Created in 1801, this print by Charles B.
- Inscription
- Inscribed:lower center in plate: Drawn & engrd. by St. Memin Philadela.; lower center mount in black ink by unknown hand: Gerrit Boon.
About this work
Overview
Created in 1801, this print by Charles B. J. Févret de Saint‑Mémin presents a solitary male figure in profile. Executed as a mezzotint and engraving on wove paper, the image is mounted on a brown backing, giving the work a subtle tonal depth that highlights the sitter’s features.
Subject & Meaning
The portrait depicts a man with a pronounced nose and a forward‑directed gaze, suggesting confidence or resolve. His hair is styled in the fashion of the period, and he wears conventional attire, indicating a respectable social standing without overt symbolism.
Technique & Style
Saint‑Mémin combines mezzotint’s soft gradations with the crisp lines of engraving, allowing delicate facial details to emerge against a uniform background. The use of black pigment on wove paper creates a rich contrast, while the mounting on brown paper adds a warm tonal border.
History & Provenance
The work originates from the early nineteenth‑century French printmaking tradition, a time when portrait prints served both as personal mementos and as a means of disseminating the likenesses of notable individuals. Specific ownership records for this piece are not documented in the source material.
Own this work as a print
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.
