Artwork
John Sitgreaves
John Sitgreaves is an ink print by the Romanticist artist Charles B. J. Févret de Saint-Mémin. It dates from 1798 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: Wm. Sitgreaves.
About this work
Overview
Charles B. J. Févret de Saint-Mémin created the print 'John Sitgreaves' in 1798 using mezzotint and engraving techniques on black wove paper, later mounted on brown wove paper. The work measures 8 by 6 inches.
Subject & Meaning
The print depicts John Sitgreaves in a dark coat, with his face illuminated from the side, resulting in a contrasting half-light, half-shadow effect. The plain, flat-toned background emphasizes the subject.
Technique & Style
Saint-Mémin employed cross-hatching to achieve smooth shading, characteristic of mezzotint and engraving. The process involved etching a copper plate, inking it, and pressing the design onto paper.
History & Provenance
'John Sitgreaves' is part of the Corcoran Collection, bearing the Corcoran stamp. Previously, it was held in a prominent Washington, D.C. collection.
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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.
