The Exhibition of the Royal Academy of Painting in the Year 1771
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.)
Classification
mezzotint
Department
Prints and Drawings
Museum
Art Institute of Chicago
Accession Number
202423
Rights
Public Domain
About this artwork
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 t...
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...