Richard EARLOM and Charles TURNER

Henry Prince of Wales, Eldest son of King James I

15½ x 20 inches

Mezzotint portrait by Earlom, Turner (and Dunkerton) published, proof before letters, in London in 1815 as part of a series entitled Fifteen Splendid Portraits of Royal Personages. This example is of exceptional quality and would have been taken very early in the life of the copper plate.

Richard Earlom was born in London in 1743, the son of the parish clerk of St. Sepulchre. He became a pupil of Cipriani but soon devoted his time to mezzotint engraving, at which he excelled. Charles Turner was born in Oxford in 1773 but moved to London where he became a pupil at the schools of the Royal Academy. He went on to produce over 900 plates including over 600 portraits. He was, without doubt, one of the most eminent and prolific mezzotint engravers of his day with subjects ranging from portraiture through to military, marine and sporting. From 1812 onwards he became mezzotint engraver to the King and in 1828 he was elected Associate Engraver of the Royal Academy.

£450