Federal Period
Charles Julien Saint-Memin Superb Large Decorative Period Framed Octagonal Profile Portrait of a Gentleman
c. 1810 Federal Period, Octagonal Profile Portrait of a Gentleman, by Charles Balthazar Julien Fvret de Saint-Memin (1770-1852), Graphite and Chalk on Pink Paper, Decorative Period Framed. Extremely Fine.
An exceptional original Portrait, measuring 17.25" x 13.75" (22" x 19" with its original frame), was drawn in the early 1800's by Charles Saint-Menin. The Portrait is of an unidentified handsome young man facing left, housed in a highly decorative gilt period wooden frame. Four gilt rosettes surround the eight-sided portrait, similar to those seen with other Saint-Memin portraits. Apparently a newly discovered piece, as it was not listed in the Smithsonian's reference work on Saint-Memin's compiled by Ellen Miles. The central portrait is laid on cardstock with highlighting chalk added around the subject. There is a trivial small scuff in the hair. About a 7" long piece of the thin gilt inner beaded trim is lacking, otherwise this important large period framed octagonal profile Portrait by Charles Saint-Memin is ready for display. Museum quality.
Charles Balthazar Julien Fvret de Saint-Mmin (1770"1852) was a portraitist and museum director. He fled France during the revolution, and worked as a portrait engraver in the United States in the early 19th century. He created portraits from life of George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, and others. He later served as museum director in Dijon.



Born in France in 1770, to parents Benigne Charles Fevret and Victoire Marie de Motmans, Saint-Memin was educated at Ecole Militaire, Paris, France, graduating in 1785. In 1788, he served in the French Guard.



During the French Revolution, Saint-Memin and his family travelled to Switzerland, and then in 1793 to New York City. They intended to travel to Santo Domingo "to prevent the sequestration of the lands of his creole mother [However] in New York news of the sad fate of that colony made them decide to remain where they were. Faced with earning a living, they first tried raising vegetables, but ... this experiment proved inadequate." Out of necessity, Saint-Memin taught himself to work portraits.



Saint-Memin lived in the United States from 1793 through 1814. During that time he created numerous portraits, often using the physiognotrace technique, invented in 1786 by Gilles-Louis Chretien. Portrait subjects included Alexander Macomb, John Marshall, Thomas Jefferson, George Washington, Christopher G. Champlin, and others.