James Calhoun

1803

Charles B. J. Févret de Saint-Mémin

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

Artist, French, 1770 - 1852

The image is an oval portrait showing an upper torso view of a man in profile, facing to the right. The man is positioned with his back slightly to the viewer and head turned to show a clear profile. His facial features include a prominent nose and lips, with deep-set eyes, and he has light-colored, short hair that appears wavy and combed to the side. He is wearing a high-collared garment with a cravat or neckcloth that is secured under his chin, and a coat with notable buttons visible. No jewelry is visible in the image. The background is a textured, dark shade that contrasts with the lighter tones of the man's features, with the image set against an off-white paper with the name "James Calhoun" inscribed below in cursive handwriting on a brown strip.

Media Options

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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): 5.72 × 5.56 cm (2 1/4 × 2 3/16 in.)
    sheet (trimmed to plate): 6.67 × 6.19 cm (2 5/8 × 2 7/16 in.)

  • Accession Number

    2015.19.1584.26.1

  • Catalogue Raisonné

    Miles 1994, no. 129

  • Series Title

    Saint-Mémin Collection of Portraits

Associated Artworks

See all 15 artworks
The image displays sixteen portraits arranged in a 4x4 grid. Each portrait is a profile view showing the head and upper shoulders of a man, looking to the right. The individuals have varying facial features, with most having prominent noses and distinctive jawlines. Their hair is styled in a manner typical of the late 18th to early 19th century. The men are dressed in formal attire with high-collared shirts and cravats, covered by dark coats. Each portrait is set against a neutral, light-toned circular background, framed by a decorated border. Every portrait includes a handwritten name below it for identification. The artwork has a monochromatic tone, with shades of grey and sepia against a plain background.

Saint-Mémin Collection of Portraits, Group 26

Charles B. J. Févret de Saint-Mémin

1803

This portrait shows a man's side profile of his upper body and head, facing right. The man has distinct facial features with a pronounced nose, lips, and a clean-shaven face. His hair is styled with curls flowing backward and appears light in color. He is wearing a dark coat with large buttons and a white cravat tied at his neck. There are no visible jewelry or objects in his hands. The background is dark and rounded, contrasting with the man's light skin and hair. The portrait is within a plain rectangular border with inscribed details that read "Drawn & engr'd by St. Memin Baltimore" and the name "Henry Alexander" below the portrait.

Henry Alexander

Charles B. J. Févret de Saint-Mémin

1803

The image depicts a man in profile view facing right. He has short curly hair styled back, a prominent forehead, defined nose, and clean-shaven skin. He wears a dark formal coat with high collars and large buttons, and a white ascot. The background is plain and dark. Below the portrait, the name "John Oliver" is inscribed on a card.

John Oliver

Charles B. J. Févret de Saint-Mémin

1803

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. 334.

1940

  • Catalogue of Engraved Portraits by Favret de Saint Memin, 1770-1852. Washington, DC: Corcoran Gallery of Art, 1940, p. 11.

1994

  • Miles, Ellen G. Saint-Mémin and the Neoclassical Profile Portrait in America. Washington, DC: National Portrait Gallery, 1994, p. 262, no. 129.

Inscriptions

lower center mount in black ink by unknown hand: James Calhoun.

Wikidata ID

Q77261780

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