A Flower Piece, mezzotint print made by Richard Earlom after a painting by Jan van Huysum, published by John Boydell in London June 25, 1778. Coloured by a later hand. Size: (approx.) 40 x 50,5 cm. Still life of flowers in a baroque vase decorated with putti. Van Huysum took the popular genre of flower still life to new heights in the 18th century. Instead of the usual dark background, he used a combination of light colours with a park-like landscape, in order that it looks as if the flowers are outside on a balustrade. Butterflies flutter around the beautifully composed bouquet, a nest with eggs lies on the edge next to the vase. The piece is reproduced extremely faithfully to nature, no spot, drop of dew or insect is missing. Richard Earlom (1743-1822) in his day was a leading British mezzotint engraver. He engraved after drawings by Claude Lorrain and made portraits after old masters such as Rembrandt, Poussin, Guercino and Rubens. In addition to work by Van Huijsum, he reproduced other important flower painters such as Jan van Os and Robert John Thornton. The painting by Jan van Huysum after which this mezzotint print was made, was originally in the collection of Sir Robert Walpole (the first Prime Minister of Great Britain) and was sold to Catherine the Great in 1779. The painting is now in the Hermitage Museum. Price: Euro 1.950,-
