Artwork
John Marshall
John Marshall is an ink print by the Romanticist artist Charles B. J. Févret de Saint-Mémin. It dates from 1808 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
- Inscription
- Inscribed:lower center mount in black ink by unknown hand: Judge Marshal. / John
About this work
Overview
Created in 1808, this print portrays John Marshall, who served as the fourth Chief Justice of the United States. Executed by Charles Balthazar Julien Fevret de Saint‑Mémin, the work combines mezzotint and engraving techniques on wove paper, offering a formal representation of a key figure in early American jurisprudence.
Subject & Meaning
The image presents Marshall in a sober pose, his expression reflecting the gravitas associated with his judicial role. Dressed in period attire, the portrait underscores his status and the authority he wielded in shaping the nation's legal foundations during the early republic.
Technique & Style
Saint‑Mémin employed a mezzotint ground to achieve rich tonal gradations, complemented by fine engraving lines that define facial features and clothing details. The black ink on wove paper, later mounted on brown wove paper, enhances contrast and lends the portrait a measured, almost sculptural quality.
History & Provenance
The print originates from the artist’s series of portraiture produced in the early 19th century, intended to document prominent American leaders. While specific ownership records are limited, the work has been referenced in scholarly catalogues of early American prints and remains a documented example of Saint‑Mémin’s portrait practice.
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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.
