Artwork
John Cassin
John Cassin is an ink print by the Romanticist artist Charles B. J. Févret de Saint-Mémin. It dates from 1806 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
- Inscription
- Inscribed:lower center mount in black ink by unknown hand: Capte. John Cassin.
About this work
Overview
John Cassin is a mezzotint and engraving print on wove paper, measuring 5.72 × 5.56 cm, created from a 1806 portrait by Charles B. J. Févret de Saint-Mémin.
Subject & Meaning
The print depicts John Cassin with light, curly hair and a formal, detailed military uniform, conveying an air of importance and confidence through his direct, serious gaze.
Technique & Style
Executed in black mezzotint and engraving on wove paper (mounted on brown wove paper), the work features intricate uniform details and a plain background, characteristic of Saint-Mémin's style.
History & Provenance
Originally painted in 1806 by Saint-Mémin, the print's provenance details are not specified here, though its creation ties it to the early 19th-century European portrait tradition.
Context
The uniform and hairstyle place Cassin within the military elite of his time, while the artist's approach reflects the contemporary demand for detailed, realistic portraiture.
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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.
