Frederick Kuhl

Art Historical Context

Behold *Frederick Kuhl* (1802), a striking profile portrait print by French-born artist Charles Balthazar Févret de Saintémin (1770–1852). Capturing the likeness of Frederick Kuhl, a prominent male leader in early America, this work exemplifies the era's fascination with personal commemoration amid the young nation's growth. Saint-Mémin, who fled the French Revolution and settled in the United States, an innovative technique using a physiognotrace—a mechanical device that traced silhouettes for precise engraving. This print medium made elegant, affordable portraits accessible beyond the elite, reflecting the democratic spirit of the time. Produced just after the turn of the century, it highlights civic figures like Kuhl who shaped local communities. Now housed in the Smithsonian American Art Museum's National Portrait Gallery (gift of Mr. and Mrs. Paul Mellon), this piece offers a window into 19th-century American identity, blending European precision with New World optimism. A testament to Saint-Mémin's legacy, it invites us to ponder the faces behind history's unfolding story.