Most of these are substantial folio or above in sizing
if exact sizing or condition reports are needed yell .. all
are post free etc mainly from "In 1773, he began A Set of Prints
Engraved after the Most Capital Paintings in the Collection of Her
Imperial Majesty the Empress of Russia, Lately in the Possession of
the Earl of Orford at Houghton in Norfolk, which was finished in
1788. a large part of Walpole's collection of paintings was sold
for just £40000 by his grandson George, Earl of Orford, to
Catherine the Great, all now in the Hermitage. .. originally sold
as "HOUGHTON GALLERY, FORMERLY IN THE POSSESSION or LORD ORFORD,
NOW IN THE COLLECTION OF THE EMPRESS OF RUSSIA ; 2 vols. impl
folio, containing 133 fine plates, some before letters, hf. bd.
uncut, £10. 10s Boydell. 1788 Galleries of Pictures. . . . time
machine anyone !
**Many of the Houghton Cabinet
mezzotints are also listed upon
|
The Shepherd; sheep , goats etc
after the painting by Philipp Peter ROOS (Rosa di Tivoli)
engraved by P C Canot from the Houghton Cabinet . ..perfect full
page good colour engraving £165
PETER CHARLES CANOT,,/Pierre Charles Canot "a French
engraver, born in 1710. He came to England in 1740, where he
resided the remainder of his life. He engraved a great number of
plates of landscapes, marines, and other subjects, many of which
have great merit. Some of his best prints are those he engraved
after the marines and sea engagements, painted by Mr. Patón ;
besides which, . . . . . the following are his most esteemed plates
: A slight Breeze ; after fiacktiuysen. A fresh Breeze ; after H".
Vandrvelde. A Calm ; after the same. A Storm ; after the same.
Returning from Market ; after Berghem. The Farm-yard ; after P. de
Laer. The Amorous Toper ; after D. Teniers. The Dutch Smokers;
after the same. The Dutch Cottage ; after PMement. Autumn ; after
the same. Winter ; after the same. A Dutch Merry-making ; after
Ostade. Pvramus and Thisbe ; after L. Kramer. The Tempest ; after
S. de Vlieyher. An Italian Landscape ; after Gaspar Poussin. A
Landscape ; after Claude Ittrraine. Sunrise, a marine ; after the
same. Two pastoral subjects ; after Rosa da Tiruli. Two views of
Westminster Bridge und London Bridge ; after Scott. Seren of Fox
Huntings ; after Wootton. [ He died in 1777.] "
Philipp Peter Roos, also called Rosa di Tivoli, was born
in 1651 in Frankfurt am Main, and died in Rome in 1705. He was a
member of the famous German artist family: his father, Johann
Heinrich Roos (1631-1685), his uncle, Theodor Roos (1638-1698), his
brothers, Johann Melchior Roos (1659-1731), Franz Roos (b.1672) and
Peter Roos (1675-1727) were all painters. Philipp Peter began his
artistic career as a pupil of his father. In 1677, on scholarship
of Landgrave of Hesse-Kassel, he traveled to Rome a city where his
father once lived and established numerous friendships. One of his
father's friends, well known artist by the name Giacinto Brandi,
became Philipp Peter's next teacher. The young artist began working
in Brandi's studio, then marry his master's daughter Maria Isabella
(d. 1703) in 1681.Soon, he became the most popular animalist
painter in Rome, acquiring, due to his exceptional speed of
working, the nickname Mercurius. In 1684 (1685?) he bought an old
house in Tivoli and settled in it (hence, his main nickname Rosa da
Tivoli). His paintings show, without exception, cattle, horses,
sheep, and goats, depicted in landscapes of the Roman Campagna.
John Boydell (Shropshire, 1719 ..London, 1804) was
clearly one of England's most remarkable 18th century people. Born
to a poor family, he began his career as an at best mediocre
engraver of book plates. At this time England was at a very low ebb
as a serious centre for the creative arts (particularly engraving)
and Boydell sought to eradicate this problem by beginning a second
career as a print publisher. Modest experiments in the 1760's led
to a rapid expansion and the mid 1770's saw the publication of his
Liber Veritas, with mezzotint engravings by Richard Earlom after
the drawings of Claude in the King's Collection. This expensive
undertaking put England back on the printmaking map and was a huge
financial success for Boydell.
Some of the finest mezzotint engravings in the history of
British art belong to Boydell's series known today as The Houghton
Gallery. Beginning in 1781, Boydell commissioned England's best
mezzotint artists to engrave the paintings by Italian Renaissance
masters in the collection of the Empress of Russia at Houghton. In
total, one hundred and twenty-eight plates were created by the time
the set was completed in 1788.
|
The Waggoner
after Rubens drawn by George farington engraved by John
Browne Stunning large format engraving ; dated 1776 , cut to 1 cm
out of plate mark and set in a paper window mount c 1820; ripple to
paper from poor storage part of the Houghton collection £165 inc
. . some soiling out of plate area
John Browne: A leading British eighteenth
century landscape engraver, John Browne was first educated at
Norwich before completing his studies in London (1756), under John
Tinney. While there, he became friends with a fellow apprentice,
William Woollett (1735-1785). John Browne first exhibited in London
in 1768. Only two years afterwards he was elected an associate
engraver of the Royal Academy.During his distinguished career, John
Browne engraved landscapes after the works of both contemporary
artists and old masters. In the latter category he engraved plates
based upon the compositions of Rosa, Poussin, Teniers and Rubens.
GEORGE FARINGTON,, an English painter,born in the county
of Lancaster, in 1754. He was educated under Mr. West, and obtained
the prize in the Royal Academy for the best historical picture.. A
landscape painter who came to London in 1763 and worked under
Richard Wilson. He was a member of the Society of Artists from 1768
to 1773, and entered the RA schools in 1769. In 1773 he and his
brother George went to Houghton to draw the pictures, which were
subsequently engraved by Earlom and published by Boydell.From the
late 1770's to 1781 he lived and worked in the lake District, but
returned to London where he remained for the rest of his life. He
was elected ARA and RA in 1783 & 1785.He illustrated Boydell's
"History of the River Thames" 1794, and Published "Views of the
Lakes" 1789, and "Views of the Cities and Towns of England &
Wales" 1790. He also maintained a diary from 1793 which is an
important record of the arts of the period .This promising artist
afterwards went to India, where he would undoubtedly have acquired
both fame and fortune, but he died in the prime of life in 1788
John Boydell (Shropshire, 1719 ..London, 1804) was
clearly one of England's most remarkable 18th century people. Born
to a poor family, he began his career as an at best mediocre
engraver of book plates. At this time England was at a very low ebb
as a serious centre for the creative arts (particularly engraving)
and Boydell sought to eradicate this problem by beginning a second
career as a print publisher. Modest experiments in the 1760's led
to a rapid expansion and the mid 1770's saw the publication of his
Liber Veritas, with mezzotint engravings by Richard Earlom after
the drawings of Claude in the King's Collection. This expensive
undertaking put England back on the printmaking map and was a huge
financial success for Boydell.
Some of the finest mezzotint engravings in the history of
British art belong to Boydell's series known today as The Houghton
Gallery. Beginning in 1781, Boydell commissioned England's best
mezzotint artists to engrave the paintings by Italian Renaissance
masters in the collection of the Empress of Russia at Houghton. In
total, one hundred and twenty-eight plates were created by the time
the set was completed in 1788.
|
The Waggoner
after Rubens drawn by George farington engraved by John
Browne Stunning large format engraving ; dated 1776 , cut to 1 cm
out of plate mark and set in a paper window mount c 1820; ripple to
paper from poor storage part of the Houghton collection £125
inc tinted edge tear up to plate mark at basemark to right
edge; some age toning base edge
John Browne: A leading British eighteenth
century landscape engraver, John Browne was first educated at
Norwich before completing his studies in London (1756), under John
Tinney. While there, he became friends with a fellow apprentice,
William Woollett (1735-1785). John Browne first exhibited in London
in 1768. Only two years afterwards he was elected an associate
engraver of the Royal Academy.During his distinguished career, John
Browne engraved landscapes after the works of both contemporary
artists and old masters. In the latter category he engraved plates
based upon the compositions of Rosa, Poussin, Teniers and Rubens.
GEORGE FARINGTON,, an English painter,born in the county
of Lancaster, in 1754. He was educated under Mr. West, and obtained
the prize in the Royal Academy for the best historical picture.. A
landscape painter who came to London in 1763 and worked under
Richard Wilson. He was a member of the Society of Artists from 1768
to 1773, and entered the RA schools in 1769. In 1773 he and his
brother George went to Houghton to draw the pictures, which were
subsequently engraved by Earlom and published by Boydell.From the
late 1770's to 1781 he lived and worked in the lake District, but
returned to London where he remained for the rest of his life. He
was elected ARA and RA in 1783 & 1785.He illustrated Boydell's
"History of the River Thames" 1794, and Published "Views of the
Lakes" 1789, and "Views of the Cities and Towns of England &
Wales" 1790. He also maintained a diary from 1793 which is an
important record of the arts of the period .This promising artist
afterwards went to India, where he would undoubtedly have acquired
both fame and fortune, but he died in the prime of life in 1788
John Boydell (Shropshire, 1719 ..London, 1804) was
clearly one of England's most remarkable 18th century people. Born
to a poor family, he began his career as an at best mediocre
engraver of book plates. At this time England was at a very low ebb
as a serious centre for the creative arts (particularly engraving)
and Boydell sought to eradicate this problem by beginning a second
career as a print publisher. Modest experiments in the 1760's led
to a rapid expansion and the mid 1770's saw the publication of his
Liber Veritas, with mezzotint engravings by Richard Earlom after
the drawings of Claude in the King's Collection. This expensive
undertaking put England back on the printmaking map and was a huge
financial success for Boydell.
Some of the finest mezzotint engravings in the history of
British art belong to Boydell's series known today as The Houghton
Gallery. Beginning in 1781, Boydell commissioned England's best
mezzotint artists to engrave the paintings by Italian Renaissance
masters in the collection of the Empress of Russia at Houghton. In
total, one hundred and twenty-eight plates were created by the time
the set was completed in 1788.
|
Titian's Son and Nurse
after the painting by by Titian engraved by John Murphy from the
Houghton Cabinet . .. laid into an odd paper window mount cut to
plate mark .5 cm margins good colour mezzotint
£85
John Murphy (1740 ..1820) of Cork went to London to study
engraving. In time he became a master of the mezzotint and was
commissioned to make plates for the nobility and the family of
George III. He was equally well received for his engravings both
after the Italian masters and after his contemporaries, such as
Reynolds, Northcote, Romney, Stothard and Benjamin West. Many of
his engravings were also published by himself, however, he was
commissioned (along with Richard Earlom) to engrave some of the
most important plates from The Houghton Gallery.
John Boydell (Shropshire, 1719 ..London, 1804) was
clearly one of England's most remarkable 18th century people. Born
to a poor family, he began his career as an at best mediocre
engraver of book plates. At this time England was at a very low ebb
as a serious centre for the creative arts (particularly engraving)
and Boydell sought to eradicate this problem by beginning a second
career as a print publisher. Modest experiments in the 1760's led
to a rapid expansion and the mid 1770's saw the publication of his
Liber Veritas, with mezzotint engravings by Richard Earlom after
the drawings of Claude in the King's Collection. This expensive
undertaking put England back on the printmaking map and was a huge
financial success for Boydell.
Some of the finest mezzotint engravings in the history of
British art belong to Boydell's series known today as The Houghton
Gallery. Beginning in 1781, Boydell commissioned England's best
mezzotint artists to engrave the paintings by Italian Renaissance
masters in the collection of the Empress of Russia at Houghton. In
total, one hundred and twenty-eight plates were created by the time
the set was completed in 1788.
|
A Lady Sitting in a Chair
after Rubens drawn by George Farington engraved by
James watson Stunning large format mezzotint; dated 1778 , cut to 1
cm out of plate mark and set in a paper window mount c 1820; ripple
to paper from poor storage part of the Houghton collection £75
inc
GEORGE FARINGTON,, an English painter,born in the county
of Lancaster, in 1754. He was educated under Mr. West, and obtained
the prize in the Royal Academy for the best historical picture.. A
landscape painter who came to London in 1763 and worked under
Richard Wilson. He was a member of the Society of Artists from 1768
to 1773, and entered the RA schools in 1769. In 1773 he and his
brother George went to Houghton to draw the pictures, which were
subsequently engraved by Earlom and published by Boydell.From the
late 1770's to 1781 he lived and worked in the lake District, but
returned to London where he remained for the rest of his life. He
was elected ARA and RA in 1783 & 1785.He illustrated Boydell's
"History of the River Thames" 1794, and Published "Views of the
Lakes" 1789, and "Views of the Cities and Towns of England &
Wales" 1790. He also maintained a diary from 1793 which is an
important record of the arts of the period .This promising artist
afterwards went to India, where he would undoubtedly have acquired
both fame and fortune, but he died in the prime of life in 1788
James WATSON,, mezzotint engraver, Craven Buildings,
Drury Lane 1763M-1764; Great Portland Street 1765; Queen Anne
Street 1767-70; 45, Little Queen Anne Street 1772-73; 64, Little
Queen Anne Street 1775. B. c1740, Ireland; d. 20 May 1790, Fitzroy
Street. Prob. Iearned engraving in London from James MacArdell. One
of the leading mezzotint engravers of the day including 56 plates
after Reynolds. The majority of his work was for Sayer, Boydell and
other printsellers but he published some plates himself. Exhibited
Society of Artists 1762/75. Brother William painter, daughter
Caroline engraver
John Boydell (Shropshire, 1719 ..London, 1804) was
clearly one of England's most remarkable 18th century people. Born
to a poor family, he began his career as an at best mediocre
engraver of book plates. At this time England was at a very low ebb
as a serious centre for the creative arts (particularly engraving)
and Boydell sought to eradicate this problem by beginning a second
career as a print publisher. Modest experiments in the 1760's led
to a rapid expansion and the mid 1770's saw the publication of his
Liber Veritas, with mezzotint engravings by Richard Earlom after
the drawings of Claude in the King's Collection. This expensive
undertaking put England back on the printmaking map and was a huge
financial success for Boydell.
Some of the finest mezzotint engravings in the history of
British art belong to Boydell's series known today as The Houghton
Gallery. Beginning in 1781, Boydell commissioned England's best
mezzotint artists to engrave the paintings by Italian Renaissance
masters in the collection of the Empress of Russia at Houghton. In
total, one hundred and twenty-eight plates were created by the time
the set was completed in 1788.
|
A Lady Sitting in a Chair
after Rubens drawn by George Farington engraved by
James watson Stunning large format mezzotint; dated 1778 ,full page
image above better tonal range but this is perfect ripple to paper
from poor storage part of the Houghton collection £75 inc
GEORGE FARINGTON,, an English painter,born in the county
of Lancaster, in 1754. He was educated under Mr. West, and obtained
the prize in the Royal Academy for the best historical picture.. A
landscape painter who came to London in 1763 and worked under
Richard Wilson. He was a member of the Society of Artists from 1768
to 1773, and entered the RA schools in 1769. In 1773 he and his
brother George went to Houghton to draw the pictures, which were
subsequently engraved by Earlom and published by Boydell.From the
late 1770's to 1781 he lived and worked in the lake District, but
returned to London where he remained for the rest of his life. He
was elected ARA and RA in 1783 & 1785.He illustrated Boydell's
"History of the River Thames" 1794, and Published "Views of the
Lakes" 1789, and "Views of the Cities and Towns of England &
Wales" 1790. He also maintained a diary from 1793 which is an
important record of the arts of the period .This promising artist
afterwards went to India, where he would undoubtedly have acquired
both fame and fortune, but he died in the prime of life in 1788
James WATSON,, mezzotint engraver, Craven Buildings,
Drury Lane 1763M-1764; Great Portland Street 1765; Queen Anne
Street 1767-70; 45, Little Queen Anne Street 1772-73; 64, Little
Queen Anne Street 1775. B. c1740, Ireland; d. 20 May 1790, Fitzroy
Street. Prob. Iearned engraving in London from James MacArdell. One
of the leading mezzotint engravers of the day including 56 plates
after Reynolds. The majority of his work was for Sayer, Boydell and
other printsellers but he published some plates himself. Exhibited
Society of Artists 1762/75. Brother William painter, daughter
Caroline engraver
John Boydell (Shropshire, 1719 ..London, 1804) was
clearly one of England's most remarkable 18th century people. Born
to a poor family, he began his career as an at best mediocre
engraver of book plates. At this time England was at a very low ebb
as a serious centre for the creative arts (particularly engraving)
and Boydell sought to eradicate this problem by beginning a second
career as a print publisher. Modest experiments in the 1760's led
to a rapid expansion and the mid 1770's saw the publication of his
Liber Veritas, with mezzotint engravings by Richard Earlom after
the drawings of Claude in the King's Collection. This expensive
undertaking put England back on the printmaking map and was a huge
financial success for Boydell.
Some of the finest mezzotint engravings in the history of
British art belong to Boydell's series known today as The Houghton
Gallery. Beginning in 1781, Boydell commissioned England's best
mezzotint artists to engrave the paintings by Italian Renaissance
masters in the collection of the Empress of Russia at Houghton. In
total, one hundred and twenty-eight plates were created by the time
the set was completed in 1788.
|
Orpheus
after Giovanni Benedetto Castiglione engraved by Richard
Earlom Stunning large format mezzotint; dated 1778 ,full page image
two creases down image, stain out of plate mark area allowing wide
margins part of the Houghton collection £95 inc
MEZZOTINT
Richard Earlom (1743..1822), Richard Earlom (1742-1822),
English mezzotint engraver, was born and died in London. His
natural faculty for art appears to have been first called into
exercise by admiration for the lord mayor's state coach, just
decorated by Giovanni Battista Cipriani. He tried to copy the
paintings, and was sent to study under Cipriani. He displayed great
skill as a draughtsman, and at the same time acquired without
assistance the art of engraving in mezzotint.
In 1765, Earlom was employed by Alderman Boydell, then one of
the most liberal promoters of the fine arts, to make a series of
drawings from the pictures at Houghton Hall; and these he
afterwards engraved in mezzotint. His most perfect works as
engraver are perhaps the fruit and flower pieces after the Dutch
artists Van Os and Jan van Huysum. Among his historical and figure
subjects are Agrippina, after West; Love in Bondage, after Guido
Reni; the Royal Academy, the Embassy of Hyderbeck to meet Lord
Cornwallis, and a Tiger Hunt, the last three after Zoffany; and
Lord Heathfield, after Sir Joshua Reynolds.
Giovanni Benedetto Castiglione [Italian Baroque Era
Painter, ca.1609-1664], was an Italian Baroque artist, painter,
printmaker and draftsman, of the Genoese school. He is best known
now for his elaborate engravings, and as the inventor of the
printmaking technique of monotyping. He was known as Il Grechetto
in Italy and in France as Le Benédette.
Castiglione was born in Genoa. His early training is unclear. He
may have studied with Sinibaldo Scorza. Wittkower describes him as
a passionate student of Anthony van Dyck, who arrived in 1621, and
Peter Paul Rubens, who stayed in the city in the first decade of
the 17th century and whose paintings were readily accessible there.
He may have trained under the Genoese Bernardo Strozzi, and
certainly encountered the work of Domenico Fetti in Mantua. He
lived in Rome from 1634 to about 1645, then returned to Genoa. He
was back in Rome in 1647 before moving in 1651 to be court artist
in Mantua, where he died. He painted portraits, historical pieces
and landscapes, but chiefly excelled in fairs, markets and rural
scenes with animals. Noah's ark and the animals entering the Ark
was a favorite subject of his. He was a brilliant draftsman and
pioneered the development of the oil sketch (often using a mixture
of mediums) as a finished work . .
He also executed a number of etchings . In Mantua, he received
his name of Grechetto, from the classic air of his pastorals. His
brother Salvatore and his son Francesco excelled in the same
subjects; and it is thought that many paintings which are ascribed
to Benedetto are only copies after him, or perhaps originals by his
son or brother. He also influenced Anton Maria Vassallo
(c1640-60)
John Boydell (Shropshire, 1719 ..London, 1804) was
clearly one of England's most remarkable 18th century people. Born
to a poor family, he began his career as an at best mediocre
engraver of book plates. At this time England was at a very low ebb
as a serious centre for the creative arts (particularly engraving)
and Boydell sought to eradicate this problem by beginning a second
career as a print publisher. Modest experiments in the 1760's led
to a rapid expansion and the mid 1770's saw the publication of his
Liber Veritas, with mezzotint engravings by Richard Earlom after
the drawings of Claude in the King's Collection. This expensive
undertaking put England back on the printmaking map and was a huge
financial success for Boydell.
Some of the finest mezzotint engravings in the history of
British art belong to Boydell's series known today as The Houghton
Gallery. Beginning in 1781, Boydell commissioned England's best
mezzotint artists to engrave the paintings by Italian Renaissance
masters in the collection of the Empress of Russia at Houghton. In
total, one hundred and twenty-eight plates were created by the time
the set was completed in 1788.
|
Rubens and Family
after Jacques Jordans drawn by Geroge Farington
engraved by James Watson Stunning large format mezzotint; set into
a window mount c 1820 cut to plate mark othewise little soiling etc
£145 inc
GEORGE FARINGTON,, an English painter,born in the county
of Lancaster, in 1754. He was educated under Mr. West, and obtained
the prize in the Royal Academy for the best historical picture.. A
landscape painter who came to London in 1763 and worked under
Richard Wilson. He was a member of the Society of Artists from 1768
to 1773, and entered the RA schools in 1769. In 1773 he and his
brother George went to Houghton to draw the pictures, which were
subsequently engraved by Earlom and published by Boydell.From the
late 1770's to 1781 he lived and worked in the lake District, but
returned to London where he remained for the rest of his life. He
was elected ARA and RA in 1783 & 1785.He illustrated Boydell's
"History of the River Thames" 1794, and Published "Views of the
Lakes" 1789, and "Views of the Cities and Towns of England &
Wales" 1790. He also maintained a diary from 1793 which is an
important record of the arts of the period .This promising artist
afterwards went to India, where he would undoubtedly have acquired
both fame and fortune, but he died in the prime of life in 1788
James WATSON,, mezzotint engraver, Craven Buildings,
Drury Lane 1763M-1764; Great Portland Street 1765; Queen Anne
Street 1767-70; 45, Little Queen Anne Street 1772-73; 64, Little
Queen Anne Street 1775. B. c1740, Ireland; d. 20 May 1790, Fitzroy
Street. Prob. Iearned engraving in London from James MacArdell. One
of the leading mezzotint engravers of the day including 56 plates
after Reynolds. The majority of his work was for Sayer, Boydell and
other printsellers but he published some plates himself. Exhibited
Society of Artists 1762/75. Brother William painter, daughter
John Boydell (Shropshire, 1719 ..London, 1804) was
clearly one of England's most remarkable 18th century people. Born
to a poor family, he began his career as an at best mediocre
engraver of book plates. At this time England was at a very low ebb
as a serious centre for the creative arts (particularly engraving)
and Boydell sought to eradicate this problem by beginning a second
career as a print publisher. Modest experiments in the 1760's led
to a rapid expansion and the mid 1770's saw the publication of his
Liber Veritas, with mezzotint engravings by Richard Earlom after
the drawings of Claude in the King's Collection. This expensive
undertaking put England back on the printmaking map and was a huge
financial success for Boydell.
Some of the finest mezzotint engravings in the history of
British art belong to Boydell's series known today as The Houghton
Gallery. Beginning in 1781, Boydell commissioned England's best
mezzotint artists to engrave the paintings by Italian Renaissance
masters in the collection of the Empress of Russia at Houghton. In
total, one hundred and twenty-eight plates were created by the time
the set was completed in 1788.
|
A Lady Reading
after F.Boll drawn by Geroge Farington engraved by
Richard earlom Stunning large format mezzotint; dated 1775 , full
page no foxing ripple crease from not being stored flat part of the
Houghton collection£75 inc
GEORGE FARINGTON,, an English painter,born in the county
of Lancaster, in 1754. He was educated under Mr. West, and obtained
the prize in the Royal Academy for the best historical picture.. A
landscape painter who came to London in 1763 and worked under
Richard Wilson. He was a member of the Society of Artists from 1768
to 1773, and entered the RA schools in 1769. In 1773 he and his
brother George went to Houghton to draw the pictures, which were
subsequently engraved by Earlom and published by Boydell.From the
late 1770's to 1781 he lived and worked in the lake District, but
returned to London where he remained for the rest of his life. He
was elected ARA and RA in 1783 & 1785.He illustrated Boydell's
"History of the River Thames" 1794, and Published "Views of the
Lakes" 1789, and "Views of the Cities and Towns of England &
Wales" 1790. He also maintained a diary from 1793 which is an
important record of the arts of the period .This promising artist
afterwards went to India, where he would undoubtedly have acquired
both fame and fortune, but he died in the prime of life in 1788
Richard Earlom: One of the greatest eighteenth century
mezzotint and stipple engravers, Richard Earlom was apprenticed to
the London based engraver, Cipriani, in his youth. He began work
for John Boydell in 1774, taking five years to create the two
hundred plates which comprise the Liber Veritas set. These
engravings were completed and published in 1779 and showed the
world the remarkable effects a combination of mezzotint and etching
could produce on landscape art and gained for both Earlom and
Boydell a long lasting fame. In fact, in the following century,
these Richard Earlom mezzotints directly influenced the landscape
art of Turner
John Boydell (Shropshire, 1719 ..London, 1804) was
clearly one of England's most remarkable 18th century people. Born
to a poor family, he began his career as an at best mediocre
engraver of book plates. At this time England was at a very low ebb
as a serious centre for the creative arts (particularly engraving)
and Boydell sought to eradicate this problem by beginning a second
career as a print publisher. Modest experiments in the 1760's led
to a rapid expansion and the mid 1770's saw the publication of his
Liber Veritas, with mezzotint engravings by Richard Earlom after
the drawings of Claude in the King's Collection. This expensive
undertaking put England back on the printmaking map and was a huge
financial success for Boydell.
Some of the finest mezzotint engravings in the history of
British art belong to Boydell's series known today as The Houghton
Gallery. Beginning in 1781, Boydell commissioned England's best
mezzotint artists to engrave the paintings by Italian Renaissance
masters in the collection of the Empress of Russia at Houghton. In
total, one hundred and twenty-eight plates were created by the time
the set was completed in 1788.
|
A Lady Reading
after F.Boll drawn by Geroge Farington engraved by
Richard earlom Stunning large format mezzotint; dated 1775 , full
page no foxing ripple crease from not being stored flat part of the
Houghton collection£85 inc clearer in details and better colour
definition
GEORGE FARINGTON,, an English painter,born in the county
of Lancaster, in 1754. He was educated under Mr. West, and obtained
the prize in the Royal Academy for the best historical picture.. A
landscape painter who came to London in 1763 and worked under
Richard Wilson. He was a member of the Society of Artists from 1768
to 1773, and entered the RA schools in 1769. In 1773 he and his
brother George went to Houghton to draw the pictures, which were
subsequently engraved by Earlom and published by Boydell.From the
late 1770's to 1781 he lived and worked in the lake District, but
returned to London where he remained for the rest of his life. He
was elected ARA and RA in 1783 & 1785.He illustrated Boydell's
"History of the River Thames" 1794, and Published "Views of the
Lakes" 1789, and "Views of the Cities and Towns of England &
Wales" 1790. He also maintained a diary from 1793 which is an
important record of the arts of the period .This promising artist
afterwards went to India, where he would undoubtedly have acquired
both fame and fortune, but he died in the prime of life in 1788
Richard Earlom: One of the greatest eighteenth century
mezzotint and stipple engravers, Richard Earlom was apprenticed to
the London based engraver, Cipriani, in his youth. He began work
for John Boydell in 1774, taking five years to create the two
hundred plates which comprise the Liber Veritas set. These
engravings were completed and published in 1779 and showed the
world the remarkable effects a combination of mezzotint and etching
could produce on landscape art and gained for both Earlom and
Boydell a long lasting fame. In fact, in the following century,
these Richard Earlom mezzotints directly influenced the landscape
art of Turner
John Boydell (Shropshire, 1719 ..London, 1804) was
clearly one of England's most remarkable 18th century people. Born
to a poor family, he began his career as an at best mediocre
engraver of book plates. At this time England was at a very low ebb
as a serious centre for the creative arts (particularly engraving)
and Boydell sought to eradicate this problem by beginning a second
career as a print publisher. Modest experiments in the 1760's led
to a rapid expansion and the mid 1770's saw the publication of his
Liber Veritas, with mezzotint engravings by Richard Earlom after
the drawings of Claude in the King's Collection. This expensive
undertaking put England back on the printmaking map and was a huge
financial success for Boydell.
Some of the finest mezzotint engravings in the history of
British art belong to Boydell's series known today as The Houghton
Gallery. Beginning in 1781, Boydell commissioned England's best
mezzotint artists to engrave the paintings by Italian Renaissance
masters in the collection of the Empress of Russia at Houghton. In
total, one hundred and twenty-eight plates were created by the time
the set was completed in 1788.
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