Christina Livingston Macomb

1797

Charles B. J. Févret de Saint-Mémin

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

Artist, French, 1770 - 1852

The image is a portrait showing the profile of a person, presented from the shoulders up. The person is positioned sideways, with their face turned to the left. They have a prominent nose, smooth skin, and delicate features. Their hair appears to be curly and is partially covered by a detailed headpiece, possibly a turban or bonnet, with soft folds and a bow-like feature on top. They are wearing a garment with a high, frilled collar. The background is a dark, circular area that contrasts with the lighter tone of the figure, set against a plain tan background outside the circle. The lower portion of the image features handwritten text.

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): 6.67 × 6.35 cm (2 5/8 × 2 1/2 in.)

  • Accession Number

    2015.19.1584.4.5

  • Catalogue Raisonné

    Miles 1994, no. 551

Associated Artworks

See all 15 artworks
The image is an oval portrait of a person in profile. The individual has refined facial features, wavy hair pulled back with curls, and is wearing a high-collared garment with a bow tie, possibly from the 18th or 19th century. An earring is visible in their ear. The background is plain, and there is an artist's signature at the border, along with the name "Mrs. de la Croix, Marie Josephine Delacroix."

Marie Josephine Delacroix

Charles B. J. Févret de Saint-Mémin

1797

The image depicts fifteen circular portrait sketches of individuals in profile position. The people have varied facial features and hairstyles typical of the 18th or early 19th centuries. The men have curled or tied back hair, while the women have elaborate headpieces or curled hairstyles. They wear formal attire, with men in coats, high collars, and cravats, and women in dresses with lace and hats or ribbons. Some women appear to be wearing earrings. No objects are visible in the portraits. Each portrait is labeled with names, integrated into the sketch or placed below it, within an organized grid format against a plain backdrop. The portraits are enclosed within circular frames and separated by lines in a contrasting grid pattern, giving them a historical collection appearance.

Saint-Mémin Collection of Portraits, Group 4

Charles B. J. Févret de Saint-Mémin

1796

This is a black-and-white profile portrait of a man, shown from the chest up. The man is positioned side-on, facing to the right of the image, with his gaze directed forward. His facial features are illustrated, with a chin, nose, and lips. He has curly hair tied at the back with a ribbon in 18th-century fashion. He is dressed in a dark coat with a high-collared white cravat. The background is plain, and the portrait is framed by a circular border. Below the image is handwritten text that identifies him as "Rodgers Benjamin Woolsey."

Benjamin Woolsey Rogers

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

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, pp. 348-349, no. 551.

Inscriptions

lower center in plate: St. Memin No 27 Pine St. N. York.; lower center mount in black ink by unknown hand: Mrs. Mac. Comb. / Mrs. Navarre Macomb.

Wikidata ID

Q77261150

You may be interested in

Loading Results