Artwork
Oliver Ormsby
Oliver Ormsby is an ink print by the Romanticist artist Charles B. J. Févret de Saint-Mémin. It dates from 1801 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: Oliver Ormsby of Pittsburg.
About this work
This is a black and white engraving from 1801. It shows Oliver Ormsby in a dark coat with a white neck scarf. His face is lit sharply against a plain dark background.
The artist used fine lines to suggest shadows on Ormsby’s coat. This style was popular for portraits at the time. It makes the face stand out clearly.
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Overview
This 1801 mezzotint and engraving on paper, mounted to brown wove paper, portrays Oliver Ormsby in formal, dark attire against a plain dark background, with a white cravat accentuating his sharply lit face.
Subject & Meaning
The subject, Oliver Ormsby, is depicted in a formal, dignified manner, suggesting a representation of professional or social stature, though the simplicity of the background focuses attention on the individual's likeness.
Technique & Style
Employing fine lines to suggest subtle shadows on Ormsby’s coat, the artist, Charles B. J. Févret de Saint-Mémin, utilized a contemporary portrait style that emphasized clear facial representation through contrast with a dark, unadorned backdrop.
History & Provenance
Created in 1801 by French artist Charles B. J. Févret de Saint-Mémin, the print is now part of the collection at the Smithsonian National Portrait Gallery.
Context
The piece reflects early 19th-century portrait engraving practices, where such works served to disseminate likenesses of notable figures among the elite and burgeoning middle class.
Legacy
As part of the Smithsonian National Portrait Gallery, the engraving contributes to the historical record of American portraiture and the oeuvre of Saint-Mémin, who was known for capturing the likenesses of prominent Americans during his time in the United States.
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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.
