Richard Earlom was an English mezzotint engraver who was born in London on May 14, 1743. Despite being best known for his mezzotint works, Earlom also possessed a talent for drawing. He was apprenticed to the renowned engraver Giovanni Battista Cipriani, a position that allowed him to hone his artistic skills. Earlom's career took a significant turn when he was commissioned by John Boydell, an influential publisher and promoter of the arts, to produce a series of mezzotint engravings for the 'Liber Veritatis', a collection of drawings by the famous landscape painter Claude Lorrain.
Earlom's work on the 'Liber Veritatis' spanned from 1777 to 1819 and included over 200 plates. His engravings successfully captured the delicate lights and shades of Claude's drawings, which contributed to Earlom's reputation as one of the finest mezzotint engravers of his time. In addition to the 'Liber Veritatis', he produced a wide range of prints after other artists and his own designs, including portraits, decorative subjects, and historical scenes.
Apart from his notable work in mezzotint, Earlom also experimented with other engraving techniques such as etching. He was highly regarded by his contemporaries for his artistic versatility and technical proficiency. Throughout his career, Earlom's works were exhibited at the Royal Academy, where he gained considerable recognition.
Richard Earlom passed away on October 9, 1822, in London. His legacy is preserved through the high-quality engravings he produced, which continue to be admired and studied for their contributions to the art of mezzotint and printmaking in the 18th and early 19th centuries.
