Jean Noel Destréhan
Charles Balthazar Julien Févret de Saint-Mémin
1805
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
Charles Balthazar Julien Févret de Saint-Mémin
1805
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
This engraving shows a man’s face in profile, all dark lines and soft shadows. His coat and cravat look crisp against the plain background. The artist used cross-hatching—tiny lines layered to create smooth shading. The artist made only one known print of this image in 1805. It was pulled from a copper plate after inking, then glued to a thicker sheet. The fine work shows off the skills of early American engravers. Watch how the light catches his cheekbone—it’s almost photographic. Check out more prints by Saint-Mémin, Charles B. J. Févret de.
