James Egan (engraver) facts for kids
James Egan (1799–1842) was a talented artist from Ireland. He was known for creating special pictures called mezzotints. A mezzotint is a type of print made by engraving a metal plate.
A Young Artist's Journey
James Egan was born in a place called County Roscommon in Ireland in 1799. When he was young, he started working for a famous engraver named Samuel William Reynolds. At first, James was just an errand-boy. But he soon learned how to prepare the metal plates used for mezzotint prints. This process is called "ground-laying."
James became very good at ground-laying. He even started his own small business doing this for other engravers. While he worked, he also studied hard to become an engraver himself. He wanted to create his own beautiful prints.
Sadly, James became very ill with a serious lung sickness. He bravely battled his declining health for about eight years. He passed away in a place called Pentonville on October 2, 1842. He was 43 years old. James had a family, and his friends helped raise money to support them after he died.
Famous Engravings and Artworks
James Egan created many wonderful engravings during his career. His very last artwork was called 'English Hospitality in the Olden Time.' This print was based on a painting by George Cattermole.
Some of his other well-known engravings include:
- 'Love's Reverie,' after a painting by John Rogers Herbert.
- 'Abbot Boniface,' after a work by Gilbert Stuart Newton.
- 'The Morning after the Wreck,' based on a painting by Charles Bentley.
- 'The Study,' after E. Stone.
- 'The Mourner,' after J. M. Moore.
- 'The Young Wife.'
- 'The Citation of Wycliffe.'
- 'The Tribunal of the Inquisition.'
- Other pictures after S. J. E. Jones.
- A portrait of John Lodge, a librarian at Cambridge, after Walmisley.
James Egan's mezzotints helped share beautiful artworks with many people. His skill in engraving left a lasting mark on the art world.
