Nathan Read: profile portrait, captioned "Drawn & engrd by St. Memin Philadel."

Saint-Menin, Charles

Published by Philadelphia, 1800

About this Item

1 vols. Circular image 2-1/4 inches diameter, on light card stock 7-3/4 x 5 inches overall. Read was an inventor who patented various designs for a steamboat, became a iron manufacturer, and served two terms in Congress, the first commencing in 1800, the approximate date of this engraving. Saint-Mémin (1770-1852) emigrated to the U.S. with his family at the outbreak of the French Revolution, and became an artist, turning to the "lucrative branch of portraiture. With the aid of a physionotrace he took accurate profiles, many of which he reduced to minature size and engraved himself." (Groce and Wallace). He worked in various cities, including Philadelphia (ca. 1798 to 1804), where this rare and elegant portrait was done. Groce and Wallace, Dictionary of Artists in America, p. 555 1 vols. Circular image 2-1/4 inches diameter, on light card stock 7-3/4 x 5 inches overall.

Seller Inventory # 17786

Bibliographic Details

• Title: Nathan Read: profile portrait, captioned "Drawn & engrd by St. Memin Philadel."
• Publisher: Philadelphia
• Publication Date: 1800
• Condition: Fine condition
• Seller catalogs:
  • Art, Architecture & Design