Artwork

Unidentified Man

Unidentified Man, by Charles B. J. Févret de Saint-Mémin, ink, 1808
Unidentified Man, by Charles B. J. Févret de Saint-Mémin, ink, 1808

Unidentified Man 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.

About this work

Overview

Unidentified Man is a circular print by Charles B. J. Févret de Saint-Mémin, created around 1800, featuring a profile view of a man's head and upper torso.

Subject & Meaning

The subject, a man of unidentified identity, is portrayed in formal attire, consisting of a dark coat and a light cravat, suggesting a certain social standing.

Technique & Style

Executed in mezzotint and engraving on wove paper, the work showcases fine details, highlighting the artist's skill in these techniques, characteristic of precise portraitures of the time.

History & Provenance

Part of a series of small circular portraits by the artist, the print's specific ownership history prior to its current collection is not detailed here.

Context

Created circa 1800, the work reflects the portrait conventions of the late 18th to early 19th century, emphasizing detail and formality.

Artist & collection

Portrait of Charles B. J. Févret de Saint-Mémin

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.

This work is in the public domain (CC0). Image source: National Gallery of Art open access. Spotted an error in this record? Tell us.

Reviews

Frequently asked questions

Who painted Unidentified Man?

Unidentified Man was painted by Charles B. J. Févret de Saint-Mémin in 1808.

Where can I see Unidentified Man?

Unidentified Man is held by National Gallery of Art.

What movement is Unidentified Man?

Unidentified Man is associated with Romanticism.

Can I buy a print of Unidentified Man?

Museum-quality prints of Unidentified Man are available made-to-order from Artifact World Gallery.