Liber Veritatis. Or a Collection of Two Hundred Prints, after the original designs of Claude le Lorrain (...)

About this artwork

plaatrand: hoogte 208 mm x breedte 259 mm

Art Historical Context

Richard Earlom's *Liber Veritatis. a Collection of Two Hundred, after the original designs of Claude leorrain* (1774) is a exquisite etching from a landmark series that immortalized the visionary landscapes of the 17th-century French master Claude Lorrain.'s original *Liber Veritatis*—a personal sketchbook of over 200 drawings—served as his catalog to authenticate his paintings, capturing luminous classical scenes bathed in golden light. Earlom, a skilled English mezzotint engraver and etcher, meticulously reproduced these in print form, making Claude's idyllic vistas accessible to 18th-century collectors and artists amid a growing fascination with landscape art. Measuring 208 mm high by 259 mm wide, this etching exemplifies the precision of the medium, where acid bites into a metal plate to create delicate lines and subtle tones that echo Claude's wash drawings. Published by John Boydell, the full collection became a touchstone for British art lovers, influencing figures like J.M.W. Turner and reinforcing Claude's legacy as the father of ideal landscape painting. This print invites visitors to ponder how reproductions bridged the gap between original genius and widespread appreciation, preserving ephemeral sketches in enduring form. A testament to Enlightenment-era connoisseurship!

About the Artist

Richard Earlom · 1728–1794

Richard Earlom (1743–1822) stands as one of the supreme masters of mezzotint engraving in British art history, whose technical virtuosity and dedication to reproductive printmaking brought the works of Old Masters to unprecedented audiences. Born in London on May 14, 1743, Earlom spent his entire career transforming paintings and drawings into prints of extraordinary quality, elevating reproductiv...