Artwork
Jonathan Mason
Jonathan Mason 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.
- Inscription
- Inscribed:lower center in plate: Drawn & engrd. by St. Memin Philada.; lower center mount in black ink by unknown hand: J.onathan Mason.
About this work
Overview
Created in 1800 by Charles Balthazar Julien Févret de Saint‑Mémin, this work presents a single‑figure portrait of Jonathan Mason. Executed as a mezzotint and engraving on wove paper that has been mounted to a brown‑toned sheet, the print measures within the dimensions typical of early‑19th‑century portraiture and is held in the Corcoran Collection.
Subject & Meaning
The image depicts Jonathan Mason looking directly at the viewer, his attire and coiffure rendered with meticulous attention. The clothing reflects the formal dress of the period, offering insight into contemporary fashion and social standing, while the direct gaze suggests a sense of personal presence and status appropriate to a portrait of a prominent individual.
Technique & Style
Saint‑Mémin employed the mezzotint process combined with engraving, a method popular for its capacity to produce rich tonal gradations. By varying the depth of the etched lines and the roughened surface, the artist achieved subtle shading and texture, especially in the facial features and fabric, creating a lifelike representation within the constraints of a monochrome medium.
History & Provenance
Since its creation, the print has remained within American collections, eventually entering the Corcoran Collection, a major repository of U.S. art. Its inclusion reflects the work’s relevance to early American portraiture and the broader practice of disseminating likenesses through print media in the post‑revolutionary era.
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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.
