NORTHCOTE, James (1746-1831), engraved by Richard EARLOM (1743-1822)

Lioness and Whelps

London: Published by J & J Boydell, at the Shakespeare Gallery Pall Mall, & Cheapside, September 29, 1793. Mezzotint, printed in colour and finish by hand. Sheet size: 23 1/2 x 29 3/8 inches.

The son of a Plymouth watchmaker, Northcote was trained by Sir Joshua Reynolds. After traveling through Europe, Northcote was elected to the Imperial Academy in Florence, the Academy dei Forti in Rome and the Ancient Etruscan Academy in Cortona. Upon returning to England he became a Royal Academician, a privilege he enjoyed for the duration of his career. Under Reynolds' tutelage, he became an accomplished portrait painter, but he also produced many fine historical paintings as well as scenes from Shakespeare for Boydell's Gallery. Northcote was acutely aware of the importance of engravings in establishing an artist's reputation. It was for this reason that he employed some of the foremost English engravers to reproduce his paintings for publication. Eminent engravers such as Richard Earlom, John Murphy, and Samuel William Reynolds were employed to translate Northcote's dramatic images into print. This sublime image was engraved by Earlom whose skill as an engraver achieved new levels of technical superiority not thought possible in mezzotint. This beautiful print is the perfect marriage of Northcote's genius and Earlom's technical skill, showing the power and beauty of Nothcote's sublime paintings.

Le Blanc, Manuel de L'Amateur D'Estampes, Vol. II, p. 179, no. 45.

Item #40000

Price: $12,500.00