Evan William Thomas

Art Historical Context

In 1807, French-born engraver Charles Balthazar Julienévret de Saint-Mmin created this striking portrait print of Evan William, capturing the essence of early American identity during the young republic's formative years. Saint-Mémin, who emigrated to the United States in 1793 amid the French Revolution, became renowned for his meticulous profile portraits of prominent figures, from presidents to merchants. Working primarily in Philadelphia, New York, and Washington, D., he documented a burgeoning nation's elite with an almost scientific precision. Saint-Mémin's innovative technique involved a physiognotrace—a mechanical pantograph device that traced sitters' profiles onto paper, which he then refined into detailed India ink drawings and engravings like this print. This method allowed for affordable, reproducible portraits, democratizing portraiture beyond oil paintings reserved for the wealthiest. The monochromatic print highlights Thomas's dignified silhouette, emphasizing physiognomy as a window into character—a popular Enlightenment-era belief. Housed in the Smithsonian American Art Museum's National Portrait Gallery, this work exemplifies Saint-Mémin's lasting contribution to American visual culture. Gifted by Mr. and Mrs. Paul Mellon, it offers visitors a glimpse into 19th-century social hierarchies and the artistry that preserved their likenesses for posterity.