Artwork
William Howison
William Howison is an ink print by the Romanticist artist Charles B. J. Févret de Saint-Mémin. It dates from 1806 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
- Inscription
- Inscribed:lower center mount in black ink by unknown hand: Wm. Howison.
About this work
Overview
This print, created using mezzotint and engraving techniques, depicts William Howison. It is executed in black on wove paper, mounted to a brown wove paper backing.
Subject & Meaning
The portrait shows William Howison seated, turned to the right, with a gentle expression. His simple attire is rendered in detail, with subtle shading on his face, capturing his likeness.
Technique & Style
The artist employed mezzotint, a technique involving the roughening of a metal plate to achieve tonal variations, to create this portrait. Mezzotint was a favored method for portraiture during this period, allowing for rich, nuanced representations.
History & Provenance
The original portrait was painted in 1806 by Charles B. J. Févret de Saint-Mémin. The painting is now held by the National Gallery of Art.
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.
