Artwork
Gray
Gray is an ink print by the Romanticist artist Charles B. J. Févret de Saint-Mémin. It dates from 1802 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
- Inscription
- Inscribed:lower center in plate: Drawn & engrd. by St. Memin Philadela.; lower center mount in black ink by unknown hand: Gray.
About this work
Overview
Gray is a print portrait created using mezzotint and engraving techniques on wove paper. It is part of a collection of portraits by Charles B. J. Févret de Saint-Mémin.
Subject & Meaning
The portrait depicts William Gray in formal attire, facing right with short wavy hair. The image presents a dignified representation of its subject.
Technique & Style
The print features dense blacks and smooth tonal gradation, achieved through the combination of mezzotint and engraving. The artist's use of contrasting dark and light values creates a sense of depth in the portrait.
History & Provenance
The artwork is part of the Saint-Mémin Collection of Portraits, dated to 1808.
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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.
