Artwork
Thomas Griffin
Thomas Griffin is an ink print by the Romanticist artist Charles B. J. Févret de Saint-Mémin. It dates from 1805 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art. This 1805 print by Charles B.
- Inscription
- Inscribed:lower center mount in black ink by unknown hand: Th. Griffin. / Silas Betton
About this work
Overview
This 1805 print by Charles B. J. Févret de Saint-Mémin measures 5.72 × 5.56 cm and is executed in mezzotint and engraving on wove paper, mounted to brown wove paper. It is a portrait titled 'Thomas Griffin' and is part of the National Gallery of Art's Saint-Mémin Collection of Portraits.
Subject & Meaning
The portrait depicts Thomas Griffin in a profile bust view, his face turned to the left, set against a shadowy background. Notable features include his tightly curled white wig, sharp nose, and small lips, all framed by a dark coat collar.
Technique & Style
The artist achieved depth and dimensionality through cross-hatching, creating soft shadows and smooth skin textures despite the monochrome palette, lending the work a three-dimensional appearance.
History & Provenance
Created in 1805, 'Thomas Griffin' is now part of the National Gallery of Art's collection, specifically within the Saint-Mémin Collection of Portraits, indicating its attribution and current ownership.
Context
Understanding the artist, Charles B. J. Févret de Saint-Mémin, provides deeper context. Further research into his biography and oeuvre can illuminate the portrait's significance within his body of work.
Legacy
As part of a named collection within a prominent art institution, 'Thomas Griffin' contributes to the historical record of Saint-Mémin's portraiture practice, though its broader impact or influence is not explicitly detailed in the provided information.
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.
