18th century engraving "A Concert of Birds".

Painted by Mario Di Fiori and engraved by Richard Earlom, this 18th-century engraving is dated 1778. The painting on which it is based belonged to Sir Robert Walpole, prime minister of George II and a keen collector whose three sons travelled throughout Italy and France in search of works of art, and who had Houghton Hall built to house his prestigious collection.
Richard Earlom 1743-1822 was an English engraver considered one of the finest specialists in the black manner technique.
Mario Di Fiori, whose real name was Mario Nuzzi 1603-1673, was an Italian painter specializing in floral compositions and still lifes. His famous "Concert of Birds", different from his usual output, depicts with virtuosity and realism numerous birds perched on branches, forming a chorus around an owl acting as leader.
A copy of this engraving is kept at the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam.
This work is presented in an 18th-century molded, gilded and black-lacquered frame.
Frame dimensions 69 cm x 86.5 cm.
View dimensions 40.5 cm x 57 cm.