Artwork
Jonathan Burrall
Jonathan Burrall is an ink print by the Romanticist artist Charles B. J. Févret de Saint-Mémin. It dates from 1800 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art. Charles B.
- Inscription
- Inscribed:lower center in plate: Drawn & engrd. by St. Memin Philada.; lower center mount in black ink by unknown hand: Jonathan Burrall
About this work
Overview
Charles B. J. Févret de Saint‑Mémin’s portrait of Jonathan Burrall is a black‑ink mezzotint combined with engraving, executed between 1798 and 1803. The image measures 5.56 by 5.56 centimetres and is mounted on brown wove paper, with a minor water stain visible on the surface. It belongs to the Corcoran Collection and exemplifies the early photo‑mechanical print process.
Subject & Meaning
The work presents a close‑up of a male sitter, rendered with precise line work that captures the facial features and expression. While no accompanying inscription clarifies Burrall’s identity, the intimate scale and focused composition suggest a personal or commemorative purpose, typical of portraiture intended for private circulation.
Technique & Style
Saint‑Mémin employed mezzotint’s tonal gradations alongside fine engraving lines to model light and shadow across the sitter’s face. The combination yields a subtle texture that conveys depth within the limited dimensions. The artist’s control of line density and surface tone reflects his mastery of printmaking methods that bridge drawing and photographic realism.
History & Provenance
Created at the turn of the nineteenth century, the print entered the Corcoran Collection, where it remains catalogued despite the minor water damage. Its survival in a museum setting attests to the durability of wove paper supports and the continued scholarly interest in Saint‑Mémin’s portraiture.
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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.
