Artwork
William Bradford
William Bradford is an ink print by the Romanticist artist Charles B. J. Févret de Saint-Mémin. It dates from 1800 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
- Inscription
- Inscribed:lower center in plate: Wm. Bradford Esqr. / Late Attorney-general of the United States; lower center mount in black ink by unknown hand: Wm. Bradford.
About this work
Overview
Created in 1800, this small mezzotint and engraving presents a bust‑length likeness of William Bradford.
Created in 1800, this small mezzotint and engraving presents a bust‑length likeness of William Bradford. Executed on wove paper and later mounted to a brown wove backing, the print measures just 7.46 by 6.19 centimeters, emphasizing its intimate scale. The work is attributed to the French‑American artist Charles B. J. Févret de Saint‑Mémin, known for his precise portraiture in the early nineteenth century.
Subject & Meaning
The portrait captures Bradford with distinctive facial features: high cheekbones, a pronounced nose, and full lips, rendered with a calm, serious expression. Light, short, rounded hair frames his face, suggesting a modest, orderly demeanor. While no explicit symbolism is indicated, the careful attention to his physiognomy reflects contemporary interests in character and virtue conveyed through portraiture.
Technique & Style
Employing mezzotint alongside traditional engraving, the artist achieved a range of tonal values using black ink on wove paper. The mezzotint technique allows for rich, velvety shadows, while the fine engraved lines define facial details. The combination of these methods results in a nuanced surface that balances depth with crisp delineation, characteristic of early‑nineteenth‑century printmaking.
History & Provenance
The print originates from the period when Saint‑Mémin, a former French aristocrat, produced portraits of notable American figures after emigrating to the United States. Though specific ownership records are limited, the work likely circulated among collectors interested in early American leadership portraits, eventually entering museum collections focused on print media and early republic iconography.
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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.
