John Strong Adams
Charles Balthazar Julien Févret de Saint-Mémin
1809
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
Charles Balthazar Julien Févret de Saint-Mémin
1809
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
John Strong Adams stares straight at you from this dark, serious portrait. The man’s sharp profile stands out in soft light against a plain dark background. His coat and hair look almost real thanks to cross-hatching, a technique where fine lines create shadows and depth. This print is a mezzotint, a style where the artist roughens a metal plate to hold ink. It was made in 1809, a time when small portraits like this were popular for showing off status. The paper feels delicate under glass, a quiet sign of care. Try looking up Saint-Mémin, Charles B. J. Févret de next.
