John Morton

1796-1797

Charles B. J. Févret de Saint-Mémin

Associated Names
Charles B. J. Févret de Saint-Mémin

Artist, French, 1770 - 1852

The image is an engraving depicting a man in profile view, showing his upper body with his head turned to the side. He has distinctive features such as a slightly hooked nose and a sharp jawline. His hair is tied back in a ponytail with a ribbon, and appears wavy. He is dressed in a high-collared shirt with ruffles and a double-breasted coat. The background features a plain circular frame with a neutral backdrop. An inscription below the circle identifies the man as John Woton.

Media Options

This object’s media is free and in the public domain. Read our full Open Access policy for images.
Not on view See artworks now on view

Artwork overview

  • Medium

    mezzotint and engraving in black on wove paper mounted to brown wove paper

  • Credit Line

    Corcoran Collection (Gift of William Wilson Corcoran)

  • Dimensions

    image (irregular): 5.56 × 5.56 cm (2 3/16 × 2 3/16 in.)
    sheet (trimmed to plate): 6.83 × 6.35 cm (2 11/16 × 2 1/2 in.)

  • Accession Number

    2015.19.1584.2.12

  • Catalogue Raisonné

    Miles 1994, no. 593

Associated Artworks

See all 15 artworks
This image shows an upper-body profile view of a woman identified as Miss Beekman. She is positioned side-on, facing to the right. Her facial features are delicate, with a straight nose and a slight mouth. Her hair is styled in tight, voluminous curls that frame her face and appear to be tied at the back with more curls cascading down, with a decorative hairpiece. She is dressed in elegant, period-appropriate clothing with a high-collared blouse and a shawl or cape draped over her shoulders, featuring intricate lace and ruffled details at the neck. She is adorned with jewelry, including an ornate earring and a beaded necklace. The background is a simple, dark circular field within which her profile is set, and beneath the image, her name, "Miss Beekman," is inscribed on a contrasting lighter background.

Ann Beekman

Charles B. J. Févret de Saint-Mémin

1796

The image shows sepia-toned portrait profiles encased in circular frames. The portraits depict individuals at various angles, focusing on their faces and upper shoulders without showing their full bodies. The subjects include men and women with different hairstyles and clothing styles typical of a historical period. Men have short, wavy, or curled hair, and some wear neckties or cravats. Women have voluminous hairstyles with ribbons or hats, and wear elaborate lace and ruffle collars or shawls. The facial features are detailed in a classical nineteenth-century style. Each portrait has a plain dark circle background and handwritten text below indicating the person's name. The image appears to document and commemorate the individuals in a formal and traditional portrait style.

Saint-Mémin Collection of Portraits, Group 2

Charles B. J. Févret de Saint-Mémin

1796

The image shows an engraved portrait of a man from the chest up. The man is depicted in left-facing profile with his head turned slightly to the right. His features include a straight nose, softly defined eyebrow, and prominent lips. His hair is styled back with a ribbon and he is dressed in formal attire with a high-collared shirt, cravat, and coat with a lapel. The portrait has a simple circular border and a beige textured background.

Unidentified Man

Charles B. J. Févret de Saint-Mémin

1796

Artwork history & notes

Provenance

the artist, Dijon, France; Léon Victor Raoul Leclerc, Vicomte de Juigné (the artist's nephew), Dijon, France, 1852; (Henry Stevens, London, England, c. 1859); William W. Corcoran, Washington, DC, c. 1874; Corcoran Gallery of Art, Washington, DC, 1875; acquired 2015 by the National Gallery of Art

Associated Names

Bibliography

1862

  • Dexter, Elias. The St. Memin Collection of Portraits; Consisting of Seven Hundred and Sixty Medallion Portraits, Principally of Distinguished Americans. Elias Dexter: New York, 1862, no. 52.

1940

  • Catalogue of Engraved Portraits by Favret de Saint Memin, 1770-1852. Washington, DC: Corcoran Gallery of Art, 1940, p. 15.

1994

  • Miles, Ellen G. Saint-Mémin and the Neoclassical Profile Portrait in America. Washington, DC: National Portrait Gallery, 1994, p. 357, no. 593.

Inscriptions

lower center in plate: St. Memin & Valdenuit No. 27. Pine St. N. York; lower center in black ink by unknown hand: John Morton.

Wikidata ID

Q77015937

You may be interested in

Loading Results