J. Beale
Charles Balthazar Julien Févret de Saint-Mémin
1796
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
Charles Balthazar Julien Févret de Saint-Mémin
1796
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
This engraving shows James Beale in profile, his sharp nose and firm jaw carved in soft shadows. The artist used mezzotint, a tricky technique where he roughed up a metal plate, then smoothed parts to make darks and lights. The paper feels warm under the ink. Mezzotint gives such deep blacks that faces pop off the page. This print looks almost painted because of that trick. Beale’s coat buttons shine like tiny mirrors. Look up Saint-Mémin, Charles B. J. Févret de next.
