Mieris
Charles Balthazar Julien Févret de Saint-Mémin
1800
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
Charles Balthazar Julien Févret de Saint-Mémin
1800
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
This engraving shows a man in a dark coat against a light background. His face is sharp and detailed, like a photo. The artist used cross-hatching—tiny lines that make shadows and textures pop. This wasn’t just a portrait. It’s a copy of a lost drawing by a Dutch artist named Frans van Mieris the Elder. Saint-Mémin made it to keep Mieris’ style alive after his death. His crisp lines feel almost modern. Check out Saint-Mémin, Charles B. J. Févret de for more of his work.
