Elias Glenn

1803

Charles B. J. Févret de Saint-Mémin

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

Artist, French, 1770 - 1852

The image depicts a side profile portrait of a person from the chest upwards. The individual faces to the right, showing the left side of their face and neck. They have short, neat, slightly wavy hair and prominent facial features including a nose and chin. The person wears a high-collared shirt and a coat with large lapels and a unique button detail near the shoulder. There are no visible jewelry pieces or objects. The background is textured, contrasting with the subject against a plain, light surface. Below the portrait, the handwritten name "Elias Glenn" suggests the person's identity.

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

    2015.19.1584.26.13

  • Catalogue Raisonné

    Miles 1994, no. 362

Associated Artworks

See all 15 artworks
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.

James Calhoun

Charles B. J. Févret de Saint-Mémin

1803

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

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. 380.

1940

  • Catalogue of Engraved Portraits by Favret de Saint Memin, 1770-1852. Washington, DC: Corcoran Gallery of Art, 1940, p. 13.

1994

  • Miles, Ellen G. Saint-Mémin and the Neoclassical Profile Portrait in America. Washington, DC: National Portrait Gallery, 1994, p. 309, no. 362.

Inscriptions

lower center mount in black ink by unknown hand: Elias Glenn.

Wikidata ID

Q77261809

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