Thomas Badaraque
Medium
Classification
Department
Smithsonian Collection
Museum
Smithsonian American Art Museum
Credit
National Portrait Gallery, Smithsonian Institution; gift of Mr. and Mrs. Paul Mellon
Accession Number
S/NPG.74.39.6.7
Rights
Public Domain
Tags
Art Historical Context
In 1800, French-born artist Charles Balthazar Julien Fret de Saint-Mé captured the likeness of Thomas Badaraque this elegant profile print, a hallmark of his innovative portraiture in early America. Saint-Mémin, who fled the French Revolution to settle in the United States, pioneered the use of the physiognotrace—a mechanical device that traced precise outlines of a sitter's profile. He then engraved these on copper plates and hand-printed them, often adding subtle watercolor tints for lifelike effect. This technique made high-quality portraits affordable and portable, democratizing portraitur...