Zeehaven met inscheping van H. Ursula en haar maagden

About this artwork

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Art Historical Context

This etching by British printmaker Richard Earlom captures a bustling seaport scene centered on the legendary embarkation of Saint Ursula and her maidens. Created on March 1, 1777, the work draws from a timeless Christian narrative in which the saint and her companions set sail, blending maritime activity with themes of faith and pilgrimage. At just 208 by 260 millimeters, the compact format invites close viewing, revealing Earlom’s careful orchestration of ships, figures, and architectural elements along the harbor. Earlom was renowned for his reproductive prints, which brought celebrated compositions to wider audiences through the etching medium. Here, the technique allows for delicate linework and tonal depth that evoke both the grandeur of the port and the quiet solemnity of the holy departure. Such prints played a vital role in the eighteenth century, circulating images of important subjects across Europe and shaping public appreciation of history painting. The date places the work amid a flourishing period for British print culture, when artists like Earlom helped preserve and popularize earlier artistic traditions for new generations of viewers.

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...