Artwork
John Carlyle Herbert
John Carlyle Herbert is a charcoal drawing by the Romanticist artist Charles B. J. Févret de Saint-Mémin. It dates from 1807 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
About this work
Overview
The work is a side‑view portrait of John Carlyle Herbert executed in charcoal and pastel on paper that has been prepared with a pink ground. The figure is presented from the shoulders up, set against a warm reddish‑brown field that frames the sitter’s profile.
Subject & Meaning
Herbert is depicted with a pronounced jawline and short, curled hair, features that the artist emphasizes to convey a sense of presence. The profile orientation focuses attention on the facial structure, offering a straightforward yet expressive representation of the individual.
Technique & Style
The artist combines charcoal’s deep tonal range with pastel’s soft color to model form and texture. The pink‑prepared paper provides a subtle undertone, while the reddish‑brown background creates contrast, allowing the charcoal lines and pastel shading to stand out and render the likeness with a naturalistic quality.
History & Provenance
The drawing is a standalone work, identified as a portrait of John Carlyle Herbert. No further details on its creation date, artist, or acquisition history are provided in the available records.
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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.
