Artwork
Madame Jean de Sèze
Madame Jean de Sèze is an ink print by the Romanticist artist Charles B. J. Févret de Saint-Mémin. It dates from 1796 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
- Inscription
- Inscribed:lower center in plate: Drawn by Valdenuit & engraved by St. Memin No. 11 Fair St. N. York.; lower center mount in black ink by unknown hand: Mde: de Sèze.
About this work
This painting shows a woman's portrait. She is dressed in old-fashioned clothes. The artist used a lot of details to make her look real.
The woman in the painting is Madame Jean de Sèze. The artist made this portrait in 1796, a long time ago. He used a special process to create the image.
You can learn more about this kind of art by looking into the technique: engraving.
Overview
Madame Jean de Sèze is a portrait print created in 1796, depicting a woman in antiquated attire with meticulous detail, rendered through mezzotint and engraving techniques on paper.
Subject & Meaning
The subject is Madame Jean de Sèze, a figure from the late 18th century, captured in a realistic likeness, emphasizing her individuality through the artist's attention to her outdated clothing.
Technique & Style
The print combines mezzotint and engraving in black ink on wove paper, mounted on brown wove paper, showcasing the artist's skill in achieving detailed realism through these traditional printmaking methods.
History & Provenance
Originally attributed to an incorrect title and creator (James Wilkinson by Charles B. J. Févret de Saint-Mémin, 1808), the correct identification of Madame Jean de Sèze (1796) highlights the importance of accurate attribution in understanding the artwork's context.
Context
Created in 1796, the portrait reflects the transitional artistic and social climate of the late 18th century, where detailed, realistic depictions were valued, and printmaking served as a means to disseminate likenesses.
Own this work as a print
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.
