Artwork
Overton Anderson
Overton Anderson is an ink print by the Romanticist artist Charles B. J. Févret de Saint-Mémin. It dates from 1808 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art. Charles B.
- Inscription
- Inscribed:lower left in plate: S.M.; lower center mount in black ink by unknown hand: Overton Anderson.
About this work
Overview
Charles B. J. Févret de Saint‑Mémin’s portrait of Overton Anderson is a black‑and‑white print executed in mezzotint and engraving on wove paper, later mounted to a brown wove backing. The image presents the American military officer in a dark coat and white cravat, his face illuminated from the left, creating a subtle chiaroscuro effect.
Subject & Meaning
The work portrays Overton Anderson, a figure known for his service in the United States military during the early nineteenth century. By emphasizing the play of light across his features and attire, the portrait conveys a sense of dignity and composure, reflecting the era’s conventions for representing men of public standing.
Technique & Style
Saint‑Mémin employed the mezzotint process, roughening a copper plate with a rocker to hold ink and then smoothing selected areas to produce tonal gradations. Engraving lines were added for detail, especially in the hair and coat, giving the surface a painterly richness uncommon in ordinary prints and a soft, glowing quality.
History & Provenance
The print originates from the French artist’s workshop in the early 1800s, a period when Saint‑Mémin was active in portraiture for both European and American patrons. It has remained in private collections before being documented in recent scholarly catalogues of his oeuvre.
Context
Created during a time of growing transatlantic cultural exchange, the portrait reflects the demand among American elites for European‑trained artists to capture their likenesses. Saint‑Mémin’s background in French academic training combined with his American commissions illustrates the blending of artistic traditions across the Atlantic.
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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.
