Saint-Mémin Collection of Portraits, Group 23

Charles B. J. Févret de Saint-Mémin

National Gallery of Art

The image features sixteen small, circular portraits arranged in a grid of four rows by four columns. Each portrait shows a side profile view of a person's upper body. The people depicted include both men and one woman, with varied hairstyles and period-specific clothing. The men mostly have short hair, some with curls or tied back with ribbons, and they wear high-collared jackets with cravats or neckties. The woman has curly hair styled away from her face and wears a garment with a high neckline and ruffles. The portraits showcase detailed facial features in the profile view, including noses, lips, and chins. Some of the men are wearing ornamental epaulettes on their shoulders. Below each portrait is a name written elegantly to identify each subject. The background paper appears aged with a brown tone, and the design is uniform, with dark-shaded backgrounds to emphasize the lighter, detailed features of the individuals.