Artwork
Nicholas Gouin Dufief
Nicholas Gouin Dufief is an ink print by the Romanticist artist Charles Balthazar Julien Févret de Saint-Mémin. It dates from 1801 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art. Created in 1801, this small print measures just over five and a half centimeters on each side.
About this work
Overview
Created in 1801, this small print measures just over five and a half centimeters on each side. Executed in black mezzotint and engraving, the image is mounted on wove paper that has been adhered to a brown-wove backing. The work presents a side‑profile portrait of Nicholas Gouin Dufief, rendered from the chest upward.
Subject & Meaning
The sitter, Nicholas Gouin Dufief, is shown in profile with a pronounced nose and a full head of tightly curled hair. His gaze is directed straight ahead, suggesting a composed, self‑assured presence. The emphasis on facial features and hair conveys a focus on personal identity typical of early‑19th‑century portraiture.
Technique & Style
The artist combined mezzotint’s tonal richness with the linear precision of engraving to achieve depth in the hair and subtle shading on the face. The fine incisions capture the texture of the curls, while the mezzotint areas provide a velvety darkness that defines the profile against the paper background.
History & Provenance
The print was produced by Charles B. J. Févret de Saint‑Mémin, a French artist known for his portrait prints during the Napoleonic era. It was likely issued shortly after its creation and has since circulated among collections of early American and French portraiture.
Context
In the early 1800s, mezzotint and engraving were common media for disseminating images of notable individuals. Saint‑Mémin’s work fits within this tradition, offering a portable, reproducible likeness of a figure whose social standing warranted such representation.
Legacy
While the print remains modest in size, its meticulous rendering of hair and facial detail exemplifies the technical skill of its creator. It continues to serve as a visual record of Nicholas Gouin Dufief and as an example of early 19th‑century portrait printmaking.
Artist & collection
Artist
Charles Balthazar Julien Févret de Saint-Mémin
Charles Balthazar Julien Févret de Saint-Mémin (French pronunciation: ; 1770–1852) was a French portrait painter and museum director.
