Richard Earlom, “Still Life of Fruit and Flowers”, 1723, after Jan van Huysum

Richard Earlom (aka Henry Birche) (1743–1822)

“Still Life of Fruit and Flowers”, or “A Fruit Piece” (as titled in the plate), 1723

Technical Details & Condition:

Mezzotint with stippling and etching on laid paper with a watermark. The sheet is trimmed with a small margin around the image borderline and publication details, and it is backed with a support sheet providing wide margins. 

This print is from the series “Houghton Gallery” and represents the final (third) state, featuring the title and publication details as issued. It is after an intermediary drawing by Joseph Farington (1747–1821), based on the painting (1723) by Jan van Huysum (1682–1749). The print was published in London by John Boydell (1719–1804) in 1781.

The impression is strong, richly inked, and well-printed. The sheet is in fair condition, with restored holes and tears.

Dimensions:

• Sheet: 55.5 x 41.3 cm
• Image borderline: 50.5 x 39.4 cm

In-Plate Lettering:

• On stone ledge at left: “Jan Van Huysum / fecit 1723”.
• Lower left: “Van Huysum Pinxit. / Joseph Farington delin^t.”
• Lower centre (with coat of arms, “FARI QUÆ SENTIAT”): “John Boydell excudit 1781. / A FRUIT PIECE. / In the Cabinet at Houghton. / Size of the picture F[eet] 2,I[nches] 2 by F2, I7 high. / Published Sep^r. 1^st. 1781 by John Boydell Engraver in Cheapside London.”
• Lower right: “Rich^d. Earlom Sculpsit.”

References:

• Wessely 145 (Joseph Eduard Wessely, Richard Earlom: Verzeichniss seiner Radirungen und Schabkunstblätter, 1886, Hamburg, Haendcke & Lehmkuhl, p. 57, cat. no. 145)
• LeBlanc 54 (Charles Le Blanc, Manuel de l'amateur d'estampes, contenant un dictionnaire des graveurs de toutes les nations, 1856, vol. 2, p. 180, cat. no. 54)
• Rijksmuseum:  https://id.rijksmuseum.nl/200148924
• British Museum: https://www.britishmuseum.org/collection/object/P_1838-0420-206

Price & Shipping:

AU$678 (approximately US$467.23 / €405.50 / £354.12), including worldwide express shipping. Import duties (if any) are the buyer’s responsibility.

If you are interested in acquiring this breathtaking large mezzotint—one of the masterpieces of this technically demanding technique, requiring infinite skill and patience to capture the full spectrum of tones from sparkling whites and translucent greys to the darkest of velvety blacks—please contact me at oz_jim@printsandprinciples.com. I’ll be happy to provide a PayPal invoice for a smooth and secure purchase.