Artwork
William Stedman
William Stedman 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 mezzotint and engraving by Charles B.
- Inscription
- Inscribed:lower center mount in black ink by unknown hand: William Stedman.
About this work
Saint-Mémin made this print in 1805, early in his career when he still lived in Philadelphia.
This small engraving shows William Stedman’s head and shoulders. His coat has a high collar and his hair is neatly combed.
Saint-Mémin made this print in 1805, early in his career when he still lived in Philadelphia. The dark, cross-hatched lines create soft shadows on Stedman’s face.
The tight crop and careful shading make it feel intimate. If you like early American portraits, look up Saint-Mémin, Charles B. J. Févret de.
Overview
Created in 1805, this small black-and-white print measures just over five and a half centimeters square. Executed in mezzotint and engraving on wove paper that has been mounted to a brown wove backing, it belongs to the Saint‑Mémin Collection of Portraits. The work presents a tightly cropped view of the sitter’s head and shoulders, rendered in a restrained tonal range.
Subject & Meaning
The image depicts William Stedman, shown in profile with a high‑collared coat and neatly arranged hair. The intimate scale and close framing focus attention on his facial expression, suggesting a personal rather than formal representation. While no explicit symbolism is evident, the careful rendering of his features conveys a sense of individual presence typical of early American portraiture.
Technique & Style
Saint‑Mémin employed mezzotint’s characteristic cross‑hatching to build soft shadows across Stedman’s face, achieving a gradual tonal modulation. Engraving lines complement the mezzotint, sharpening details such as the collar and hair. The combination of these printmaking methods allows for a nuanced rendering of light and texture within the limited dimensions of the work.
History & Provenance
The print was produced while Charles B. J. Févret de Saint‑Mémin was residing in Philadelphia, marking an early phase of his artistic career before his later move to France. It has remained within the Saint‑Mémin Collection of Portraits, a grouping that assembles his numerous portrait prints of contemporary figures.
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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.
