'Rembrandt's Mother' - a seated old woman with a veil – Explore the National Gallery of Ireland's collection:

Engraver Richard Earlom , English, 1743-1822

After Rembrandt van Rijn , Dutch, 1606-1669

Title

'Rembrandt's Mother' - a seated old woman with a veil

MediumMezzotint

Dimensions

Plate: 40 x 30.5 cm

Sheet: 40.7 x 32.3 cm

Credit LineBequeathed, V. Lawless, 4th baron Cloncurry, 1929

Object numberNGI.10171

DescriptionEarlom developed a virtuoso mezzotint technique which allowed him to evoke an extraordinary range of tone and texture. This is evident in his treatment of both the fur and fabric of the sitter's elaborate costume. Earlom's technical innovation and versatility made him very much in demand. John Boydell, London's most powerful publisher, commissioned Earlom to copy this masterpiece of the 1650s by Rembrandt, popularly known as 'Rembrandt's Mother'. Earlom also executed a series of 200 prints for Boydell after sketches by Claude Lorraine, published in 3 volumes, under the title Liber Veritatis.