1775-76 Richard Earlom Pair of Mezzotints "Liber Veratis" by Claude Lorrain

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A historic set of two original Mezzotints, after the "Liber Veritatis" book of drawings by the quintessential French Baroque master … Read more A historic set of two original Mezzotints, after the "Liber Veritatis" book of drawings by the quintessential French Baroque master painter Claude Lorrain (1600-1682)

Made by prominent British printmaker and master of the Mezzotint technique, Richard Earlom (1743-1822) in the first and most well known re-print of the original book of drawings. Thanks to the exceptional work by Earlom, the "Liber Veritatis" has had a profound influence on British art thereafter, especially watercolor artists like Francis Towne

Up for sale are numbers 120 and 150 respectively, with number 120 titled "The Embarkation of St. Paulinus" (as tagged on back)

Both inscribed under the scenes, in the margin and inside the plate marks:
"Claude le Lorrain delin." (lower left); "R. Earlom fecit." (lower right); "Published [Dates Sept. 1st 1775 & Sept. 2, 1776, resp.] by John Boydell Engraver in Cheapside"; Titled: From the Original Drawing, in the Collection of the Duke of Devonshire.

Earlom was commissioned by John Boydell to copy all 200 drawings of Claude Lorraine's book as prints, published from 1774-1777 as Liber Veritatis (in two volumes), or "A Collection of Two Hundred Prints, After the Original Designs of Claude le Lorrain, in the Collection of His Grace the Duke of Devonshire, Executed by Richard Earlom, in the Manner and Taste of the Drawings...." with the inscription on the reverses, a "descriptive catalogue of each print" and the current owner, where it was known.
The original books are now in the British Museum. Earlom prints like these two are in prominent collections worldwide, including the British Museum, the Met, Pushkin Museum, etc.
The prints used etching for Claude's pen lines, and mezzotint for the ink washes. All used brown ink on white paper

All original, dated 1775 and 1776. Well preserved, framed and matted in giltwood frames, under glass, ready for display!

Measurements: Approx. 16.75"x 14.75" each one framed; 10.25" x 8.25" plate marks
The pair weighs about 5 lbs. 4 oz.
Condition: Very Good overall. Please see photos. All original, ready for display! See less