Blog

  • John Boydell: The Enlightenment man.

    A biographical sketch of an outstanding representative of the English Age of Enlightenment John Boydell, engraver, art dealer, publisher, politician.

    "It may be a matter of wonder to some, what enducements I could have to present the City of London with so many expensive Pictures; the principal reasons that influence me were these:
    First: to show my respect for the Corporation, and my Fellow Citizens,
    Secondly: to give pleasure to the Public, and Foreigners in general,
    Thirdly: to be of service to the Artists, by shewing their works to the greatest advantage: and,
    Fourthly: for the mere purpose of pleasing myself."

    Image: Portrait of John Boydell by Sir William Beechey. 1801. Guildhall Art Gallery. London.

  • Claude Lorrain. Liber Veritatis.

    Lorrain was so much appreciated and admired in the XVIII century England, that he was often referred to simply as Claude. His artwork was in such demand that John Boydell, an entrepreneur, artist and publisher, decided to publish the famous sketchbook Liber Veritatis in 1770s. For this purposes, he commissioned the best engraver of that time Richard Earlom to transform Claude's inks and washes into etchings and mezzotints.