Richard Earlom (British, 1743-1822)
after Michel Vincent Brandoin, called l'Anglais (Swiss, 1733-1790)
The Exhibition of the Royal Academy of Painting in the Year 1771
INV-2024
Richard Earlom (British, 1743-1822)
after Michel Vincent Brandoin, called l'Anglais (Swiss, 1733-1790)published May 20, 1772
The Exhibition of the Royal Academy of Painting in the Year 1771
Richard Earlom (British, 1743-1822) after Michel Vincent Brandoin, called l'Anglais (Swiss, 1733-1790) →mezzotintprint
Date
published May 20, 1772
Medium
Mezzotint in black on cream laid paper
Dimensions
Image: 43 × 56 cm (16 15/16 × 22 1/16 in.); Plate: 47.2 × 56.2 cm (18 5/8 × 22 3/16 in.); Sheet: 48.4 × 57.5 cm (19 1/16 × 22 11/16 in.)
Museum
Art Institute of Chicago
Location
Chicago, IL
Credit
Sara R. Shorey Endowed Acquisition Fund
This monumental mezzotint was created by Richard Earlom, a professional engraver who translated the work of Joseph Wright of Derby, Henry Fuseli, and others. Earlom’s extraordinary control of the mezzotint process is clear in the brilliant light pouring from the left, selectively illuminating the jostling crowd. Equally impressive was his ability to depict the paintings; many remain quite recognizable, and he rendered them with considerable detail and tonal nuance. No doubt Earlom was selected to create this work for his skill in reproducing oil paintings as mezzotints; he reproduced at least 50 paintings in this single print.