Francis Delaram (born around 1590, fl. 1615–1624[1] or 1627[2]), was an English engraver.[3]
Delaram has left behind a substabtial collection of engraved portraits, landscapes and book illustrations (specifically, William Camden's Historie), but his life is practically unknown. Sidney Colvin wrote that Delaram, most likely, was born in Flanders.[4] The "frolicsome revels of the musical cherubs" that adorn Delaram's prints indicate strong influence of the Flemish school.[4] Delaram could have been trained by Cornelius Boel, who illustrated the first edition of the King James Bible (1611).[4] Poor execution of the background in Delaram's portrait of Charles I of England[5] according to Shapiro, give away the contribution of another person employed by Delaram.[6]
Malcolm Charles Salaman and Aymer Vallance noted that male portraits by Delaram stand out for their "grasp of character" but "when he essayed the Court beauties he was far from justifying their reputation" (Vallance).[7] Salaman wrote that the "vitality of [his] admirable prints" is a strong indication that Delaram's portraits of Matthias de Lobel, George Wither and Horace Vere were drawn from life.[8] His portraits of Elizabeth I of England, on the contrary, were made after original paintings by Nicholas Hilliard. One of these prints was expressly authorized by Hilliard.[9]