Artwork
John Trippe
John Trippe is an ink print by the Romanticist artist Charles B. J. Févret de Saint-Mémin. It dates from 1809 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art. Created in 1809, this modestly sized print measures just over five and a half centimeters square.
- Inscription
- Inscribed:lower center mount in black ink by unknown hand: Capit. Tripp. / John
About this work
Overview
Created in 1809, this modestly sized print measures just over five and a half centimeters square. Executed by Charles B. J. Févret de Saint‑Méin, it combines mezzotint and engraving on a thin wove paper that has been mounted to a brown backing. The work is catalogued within the Corcoran Collection and exemplifies early‑nineteenth‑century portraiture in print form.
Subject & Meaning
The image portrays a man wearing a dark coat with a high, stiff collar. His features are rendered with a crisp, solemn expression, and the careful line work emphasizes the texture of his clothing and the contours of his face. The portrait conveys a sense of dignity and formality typical of contemporary depictions of notable individuals.
Technique & Style
Saint‑Méin employed a mezzotint ground to achieve smooth tonal transitions, complemented by fine engraving lines that build depth through cross‑hatching. The delicate interplay of light and shadow is achieved with tiny, closely spaced strokes, allowing subtle modeling of skin and fabric. The choice of a translucent wove paper contributes to the print’s delicate appearance.
History & Provenance
The print entered the Corcoran Collection, a significant repository of American art, though its earlier ownership remains undocumented. Its inclusion in the collection reflects the museum’s interest in early American portrait prints and the work of French‑born artists who were active in the United States during the early 1800s.
Context
Mezzotint and engraving were popular methods for reproducing portraits in the early nineteenth century, offering a level of detail and tonal richness unavailable in other print techniques. Saint‑Méin, a French émigré, applied these methods to American subjects, bridging European print traditions with the emerging visual culture of the young republic.
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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.
