Thomas Burke (artist) facts for kids

Thomas Burke (1749 – 31 December 1815) was a talented Irish artist. He was known for his amazing skills as an engraver and painter. Engravers create pictures by cutting designs into metal plates. These plates are then used to print many copies of the artwork.

Who Was Thomas Burke?

Thomas Burke was born in Dublin, Ireland, in 1749. He began his art training at the Dublin Society's Schools. His teacher there was Robert West. In 1770, Thomas moved to London, England. There, he learned a special engraving method called mezzotint from John Dixon. Mezzotint creates soft, rich tones in prints.

Becoming a Master Engraver

Thomas Burke also learned another popular style called the chalk method. This method was made famous by Bartolozzi. Burke used both mezzotint and the chalk method in his work.

Many of Burke's mezzotint prints were based on paintings by Angelica Kauffman. He often worked for William Wynne Ryland. Ryland taught Burke a new technique called stipple engraving. After 1775, Burke mostly used stipple engraving. This technique helped his art look very deep and rich.

Burke usually worked for publishers. He did not often print his own artworks. His engravings often showed interesting pictures or scenes. His first engraving based on Kauffman's work was called Queen Charlotte Raising the Genius of the Fine Arts. This was made in 1772.

His Most Famous Work

From 1775 to 1779, Burke did not sign his prints. He started signing them again in 1779 when working for Ryland. He also produced work for other publishers starting in 1782.

Burke's most famous artwork was a popular print after Fuseli. It was called The Nightmare (1783). This print showed a creature sitting on a sleeping woman. It became a best-seller all across Europe.

Later Years

In 1787, Thomas Burke was living in Westminster, London. He was the favorite engraver of Angelica Kauffman. He created 28 stipple engravings of her designs between 1779 and 1795. In 1797, he described himself as the Engraver to Ludwig X. Ludwig X was the Landgrave of Hesse Darmstadt. Burke's very last work was a portrait of Wellington. This portrait was dated 1815.

Thomas Burke passed away in London on 31 December 1815.