The Old Print Shop

Thomas Burke

1749-1815

Born in Dublin in 1749, Burke first trained in the Dublin Society's Schools under Robert West, moving in 1770 to London where he studied mezzotint under John Dixon. Though he may have moved to London with Dixon as early as 1765. He adopted the chalk method popularised by Bartolozzi, continuing to use both styles. <br><br>


Most of Burke's mezzotints were engraved after Angelica Kauffman for William Wynne Ryland, who taught him the stipple engraving technique. After 1775, Burke worked primarily by engraving in stipple, giving his work depth and richness. Burke preferred to work for publishers and seldom issued prints himself. His engravings typically featured subject pictures. Burke died in London at the age of 66.

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