DISCOVERART

Richard Earlom

A Blacksmith's Shop

1771
Mezzotint in black on ivory laid paper
61.2 × 43.4 cm (24.1 × 17.1 in)

SEE IT IN PERSON

Not currently on view

In the collection of Art Institute of Chicago, Chicago · as of July 2026

View at artic.edu ↗Plan a visit ↗

Discussion

FROM THE ART INSTITUTE OF CHICAGO’S CATALOG

Working with stunning speed, Richard Earlom produced 200 mezzotint landscapes after Claude Lorrain in three years and made this sizable plate less than three months after Joseph Wright of Derby completed the original painting. This impression is an early proof before letters, but the final published title boasted that “the Right Honorable Lord Melbourne” already owned the painting. He had bought it for 150 guineas directly from the artist’s studio, along with Wright’s Academy by Lamplight . The glow of the iron ingot on the central anvil is no less impressive in Earlom’s mezzotint rendition.

Source ↗

Be the first to share your thoughts.

Sign in to join the discussion.

Community guidelines

More by Richard Earlom

Liber Veritatis: No. 89, View of a Mountainous Extended CountryLiber Veritatis: No. 89, View of a Mountainous Extended CouThe Superb Lily, from The Temple of FloraThe Superb Lily, from The Temple of FloraThe Superb Lily, from The Temple of FloraThe Superb Lily, from The Temple of FloraLiber Veritatis: No. 68, A Landscape at Sunset with Fishermen Drawing a NetLiber Veritatis: No. 68, A Landscape at Sunset with FishermLiber Veritatis: No. 145, A Landscape, with Figures, Simon brought before PriamLiber Veritatis: No. 145, A Landscape, with Figures, Simon Liber Veritatis: No. 138, A View of the Sea, with Christ Preaching on the Mount (the water below may probably be intended for the Sea of Tiberius)Liber Veritatis: No. 138, A View of the Sea, with Christ PrLiber Veritatis: No. 135, A Landscape, with Buildings, Mercury Stealing Admetuss' Cattle from ApolloLiber Veritatis: No. 135, A Landscape, with Buildings, MercLiber Veritatis: No. 108, Landscape with Satyrs and Nymphs DancingLiber Veritatis: No. 108, Landscape with Satyrs and Nymphs

More like this

The BlacksmithRichard Earlom (British, 1743–1822) — The BlacksmithA Blacksmith's ShopJohn Boydell|Joseph Wright (Wright of Derby)|Richard Earlom The BlacksmithEugène Delacroix — The BlacksmithThe CounterfeitersCharles Jacque|Auguste Delâtre — The CounterfeitersThe Violin Player Seated in the InnCornelis Dusart — The Violin Player Seated in the InnCourtyardCharles Émile Jacque — CourtyardA BlacksmithThomas Rowlandson — A BlacksmithBinnenplaatsFrançois Marius Granet — BinnenplaatsThe FamilyAdriaen van Ostade — The FamilyThe CounterfeitersCharles Jacque — The CounterfeitersThe ForgeJames McNeill Whistler — The ForgeCourtyard InteriorCharles Émile Jacque — Courtyard Interior