Artwork Page for The Blacksmith

Details / Information for The Blacksmith

The Blacksmith

1771

Richard Earlom

(British, 1743–1822)

after Joseph Wright of Derby

(British, 1734–1797)
Culture
England, 18th century
Medium
mezzotint
Credit Line
James Parmelee Fund 1995.69
Catalogue raisonné
Clayton 157
State
II/III
Public Domain
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Location
Not on view
Print

Description

Joseph Wright of Derby's fame as a painter was enhanced by prints based on his compositions since works on paper, being relatively cheap and widely available, could reach a much larger audience than his oils. Filled with dramatic light effects, Wright's paintings were ideally suited for reproduction in mezzotint. With its velvety texture and subtle tonal variations ranging from rich blacks to delicate shades of gray, mezzotint was the printmaking technique closest to oil painting. Experts like Earlom or William Pether were skilled at transposing paintings into mezzotint while exploiting the unique characteristics of this medium.
A vertically oriented, predominantly dark-toned mezzotint depicts a blacksmith's shop illuminated by a glowing iron bar. In the center, a man stands with his back to us. To our right, smiths with medium and light skin tones work at an anvil while onlookers watch, their faces caught in the dramatic light. On our left, figures tend to a horse in the deep shadows of a ruined, thatched interior.

The Blacksmith

1771

Richard Earlom, Joseph Wright of Derby

(British, 1743–1822), (British, 1734–1797)
England, 18th century

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