Artwork
James Asheton Bayard
James Asheton Bayard 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.
- Inscription
- Inscribed:lower center in plate: Drawn & engrd. by St. Memin Philadela.; lower center mount in black ink by unknown hand: Wm. Bayard. / James A.
About this work
You can learn more about this technique by looking into the work of artist: Saint-Mémin, Charles B.
You see a portrait of James Asheton Bayard in formal attire. He's dressed up and looks serious. The artist made this portrait using a special process.
The portrait is small, only about 5.56 cm square. It was made in 1801, and the artist was working in Philadelphia at the time. This was a common way to make portraits back then.
You can learn more about this technique by looking into the work of artist: Saint-Mémin, Charles B. J. Févret de.
Overview
James Asheton Bayard is a portrait print created in 1801 by Charles B. J. Févret de Saint-Mémin. The work measures 5.56 × 5.56 cm and combines mezzotint and engraving techniques on black ink on wove paper, mounted to brown wove paper.
Subject & Meaning
The portrait depicts James Asheton Bayard in formal attire, conveying a sense of solemnity through his serious expression. The subject's formal dress suggests a representation of professional or social stature.
Technique & Style
Executed in mezzotint and engraving, the portrait exemplifies a prevalent 18th-century technique for portrait reproduction. Saint-Mémin's use of these methods reflects the artistic conventions of his time, producing a detailed, high-contrast image.
History & Provenance
Created in 1801 while the artist was based in Philadelphia, the portrait is attributed to Saint-Mémin's American period. The small format was typical for such portraits, facilitating widespread reproduction and distribution.
Context
This work is part of a broader practice of portrait engraving common among artists like Saint-Mémin, who used these techniques to capture likenesses of notable figures for circulation. For deeper insight into this method, exploring Saint-Mémin's body of work provides context.
Legacy
As a representative example of early 19th-century portrait engraving, James Asheton Bayard contributes to the historical record of artistic techniques and societal portraiture practices during this era.
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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.
