Artwork
John Carrere
John Carrere is an ink print by the Romanticist artist Charles B. J. Févret de Saint-Mémin. It dates from 1805 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art. Created in 1805, this black-and-white print by Charles B.
- Inscription
- Inscribed:lower center mount in black ink by unknown hand: John Carrere.
About this work
Overview
Created in 1805, this black-and-white print by Charles B. J. Févret de Saint‑Mémin depicts John Carré in a side view. Executed as a mezzotint and engraving on wove paper that has been mounted to a brown backing, the work measures within the modest scale typical of portrait prints of the period. It is presently held by the National Gallery of Art.
Subject & Meaning
He wears a high‑collared shirt beneath a dark jacket, attire that suggests a respectable middle‑class status of the early nineteenth century.
The sitter, identified as John Carré, is rendered in profile, his facial features emphasized by a pronounced nose and tightly curled hair. He wears a high‑collared shirt beneath a dark jacket, attire that suggests a respectable middle‑class status of the early nineteenth century. The portrait’s focus on individual physiognomy reflects contemporary interest in personal identity and social standing.
Technique & Style
Saint‑Mémin employed mezzotint, a printmaking process that allows for subtle gradations of tone through a roughened plate and subsequent smoothing. This method produces rich shadows and a velvety depth, evident in the modeling of Carré’s facial planes and the texture of his clothing. The accompanying engraving lines add definition, balancing the tonal softness with crisp detail.
History & Provenance
The print entered the collection of the National Gallery of Art, where it is catalogued as part of the museum’s holdings of early American portraiture. Its acquisition history traces back to private collections of 19th‑century prints, though specific previous owners are not recorded in the available documentation.
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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.
