Saint-Mémin Collection of Portraits, Group 27

Charles B. J. Févret de Saint-Mémin

National Gallery of Art

Fifteen oval portraits are arranged in a grid pattern. Each portrait shows a man in a side profile view, with only the head and part of the upper torso visible. The men are posed in a consistent manner, with those in the first three columns facing right and those in the last column facing left. The men have varying facial features, with some having pronounced noses, defined chins, and curly or wavy hair styled upwards. They are depicted wearing high-collared coats and cravats, reflecting formal attire from the late 18th to early 19th century. Each portrait is accompanied by the individual's name written in cursive script below it. The background consists of plain circles, emphasizing the figures. The overall composition is set on a page with a tan colored paper backdrop, creating the impression of an organized collection of engraved or lithographed portraits.