After Claude Lorraine (Plate 81). Liber Veritatis. London: John Boydell, 1774-79. $295.00

Plate 81

Engraved by Richard Earlom (1743 - 1822) after a sketch in the copy of Claude le Lorrain's 'Liber Veritatis' owned by the Duke of Devonshire at Chatsworth. Claude (c.1600-82) was a prolific and successful landscape painter, and, even during his lifetime, forgeries of his work appeared for sale. To combat this Claude made up six albums of tinted sketches of his completed works, each sketch with the name of the purchaser of the painting on the back. The 'Liber Veritatis' (Book of Truth) was then distributed around Europe so that his genuine paintings could be authenticated. The Chatsworth copy of the 'Liber Veritatis' contained 200 drawings, including a frontispiece portrait of Claude and five unrelated drawings. Commissioned by John Boydell, Richard Earlom engraved the full set between 1774 and 1777, when they were published by Boydell in two volumes, each containing 100 prints, numbered 1-200.

Sepia toned aquatint engraving.
8½ x 10½ inches plate, sheet 11 x 17 inches.
Very sharp impression, beautifully inked impression.