Thomas Thompson

1797

Charles B. J. Févret de Saint-Mémin

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

Artist, French, 1770 - 1852

This is an engraving of a man's profile facing right. He has detailed facial features, short curled hair, and is wearing a high-collared garment with a scarf tied around his neck. The background is plain and dark, with the signature "St. Memin," the location "No 29 Pine St. N. York," and the name "Thomas Thompson" in cursive below the image.

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

  • Accession Number

    2015.19.1584.6.2

  • Catalogue Raisonné

    Miles 1994, no. 821

Associated Artworks

See all 15 artworks
This is an image of a head and shoulders portrait of a man shown in profile from the right side. The man is seated or posed so that he is facing to the right. His facial features include a prominent, straight nose and a firm chin, with a neutral expression. He has mid-length, slightly wavy hair that falls around the nape of his neck, and it is tied back with a ribbon. The man is wearing a dark coat with a high collar over a light-colored shirt and an intricately tied cravat. The background of the image is a plain, dark circle that smoothly transitions to the lighter border surrounding the circular area, creating the effect of an oval vignette. Below the portrait, there is a section with the name "Codrington" inscribed.

Coddington

Charles B. J. Févret de Saint-Mémin

1797

The image features fifteen oval framed bust portraits arranged in a grid of three rows and five columns. Each person is depicted in profile, showing the upper part of their bodies including their heads, shoulders, and upper chest. The individuals are primarily positioned facing either left or right, seated in an upright posture. The portraits mainly depict individuals with European facial features, short hairstyles consistent with the late 18th century, and some with powdered wigs or tied-back hair in short ponytails. One woman in the portraits has curly hair adorned with ribbons and flowers, wearing a high-collared dress with lace embellishments. The individuals are dressed in formal attire typical of the period, including high-collared coats with tall collars and cravats or neck scarves. There is no visible jewelry or objects being held by any of the figures. The background for each portrait is plain with a simple oval shape outlining each individual, contrasting with the textured clothing and hair details. The portraits are labeled with names written beneath each person. The entire collection is set on a light brown background serving as the mount for the grid of portraits.

Saint-Mémin Collection of Portraits, Group 6

Charles B. J. Févret de Saint-Mémin

1797

The image is a portrait of a woman in profile. She has a prominent nose and soft expression, with voluminous curls framing her face. She wears a garment with a high neck and ruffled collar. There are no visible jewelry or objects in her hands. The background is neutral, with text below the portrait saying "St. Memin N.27 Pine St. NYC" and a signature. Another inscription reads "Mrs. Moorlon."

Cornelia Schuyler Morton

Charles B. J. Févret de Saint-Mémin

1797

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. 91.

1940

  • Catalogue of Engraved Portraits by Favret de Saint Memin, 1770-1852. Washington, DC: Corcoran Gallery of Art, 1940, p. 12.

1994

  • Miles, Ellen G. Saint-Mémin and the Neoclassical Profile Portrait in America. Washington, DC: National Portrait Gallery, 1994, p. 405, no. 821.

Inscriptions

lower center in plate: St. Memin No. 27 Pine St. N. York; lower center mount in black ink by unknown hand: Evens. / Thomas Thompson.

Wikidata ID

Q77261202

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