Artwork
John Ferguson
John Ferguson is an ink print by the Romanticist artist Charles B. J. Févret de Saint-Mémin. It dates from 1797 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art. Charles B.
- Inscription
- Inscribed:lower center in plate: St. Memin No. 27 Pine St. N. York; lower center mount in black ink by unknown hand: John Fergusson.
About this work
Overview
Charles B. J. Févret de Saint‑Mémin’s portrait of John Ferguson is a black‑and‑white print combining mezzotint and engraving techniques on wove paper, later mounted to a brown‑toned sheet. The image presents Ferguson in a sober dark coat, set against an unadorned background, his expression calm and composed.
Subject & Meaning
John Ferguson, a prominent figure in early American society, is rendered with a restrained dignity. The subdued lighting emphasizes his facial features and steady gaze, suggesting a portrait intended to convey personal gravitas rather than overt narrative.
Technique & Style
The work merges mezzotint’s rich tonal gradations with fine engraving lines. Saint‑Mémin employed delicate cross‑hatching to model soft shadows and achieve smooth skin tones, a method that required considerable skill, especially in the American context where mezzotint was still uncommon.
History & Provenance
Saint‑Mémin, trained in Europe, brought mezzotint expertise to the United States in the early 19th century. This portrait is among the series of American personalities he produced after his return, reflecting his adaptation of European print methods to a new market.
Context
The portrait aligns with Saint‑Mémin’s broader oeuvre of American portraiture, characterized by a focus on precise likeness and understated backgrounds. Its execution illustrates the transatlantic exchange of artistic techniques during a period when American printmaking was still developing.
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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.
