Edward Burch

{{Short description|English gem engraver, medalist, and wax modeller (1730–1814)}}

{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2024}}

{{Use British English|date=May 2024}}

{{Infobox artist

| name = Edward Burch

| honorific_suffix = {{post-nominals|country=GBR|size=100%|RA|}}

| image = Edward Burch from the Academicians of the Royal Academy.jpg

| caption = Edward Burch from The Academicians of the Royal Academy, 1771–72

| birth_name = Edward Burch

| birth_date = {{birth year|1730|}}

| birth_place = London, England, Kingdom of Great Britain

| death_date = {{death date and age|df=y|1814|02|18|1730}}

| death_place =

| education = {{Indented plainlist|

• {{ubl|Royal Academy Schools
  (2 September 1769–)}}

}}

| known_for = {{hlist|Sculpture|gem engraving}}

| spouse =

| children = Henry Jacob Burch

| style =

| movement =

| works =

| awards =

| elected = {{Indented plainlist|

• Royal Academy of Arts (1771)
  ARA: 27 August 1770
  RA: 11 February 1771
  Librarian: 1794 – 11 February 1814

}}

| website = {{URL|https://artuk.org/discover/artists/burch-edward-17301814|Edward Burch – Art UK}}

}}

Edward Burch {{Post-nominals|country=GBR|RA|}} (1730–1814) was an English artist and Royal Academician known as a gem engraver, medalist and sculpture, particularly of wax modelling.{{Cite web |title=Edward Burch {{!}} Artist {{!}} Royal Academy of Arts |url=https://www.royalacademy.org.uk/art-artists/name/edward-burch-ra |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240525142843/https://www.royalacademy.org.uk/art-artists/name/edward-burch-ra |archive-date=25 May 2024 |access-date=25 May 2024 |website=Royal Academy of Arts}}{{Cite web |title=Burch, Edward, 1730–1814 {{!}} Art UK |url=https://artuk.org/discover/artists/burch-edward-17301814 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240525143200/https://artuk.org/discover/artists/burch-edward-17301814 |archive-date=25 May 2024 |access-date=25 May 2024 |website=Art UK}}

Burch first worked as a waterman on the Thames. Self-taught miniaturist and seal-engraver.{{Cite web |title=Edward Burch {{!}} Collections Online {{!}} British Museum |url=https://www.britishmuseum.org/collection/term/BIOG66427 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240526220120/https://www.britishmuseum.org/collection/term/BIOG66427 |archive-date=26 May 2024 |access-date=26 May 2024 |website=British Museum}}

In 1788 Burch was appointed engraver to King George III and the Duke of York. He also modelled wax portraits for James Tassie and for Josiah Wedgwood.{{Cite web |title=Edward Burch {{!}} National Galleries of Scotland |url=https://www.nationalgalleries.org/art-and-artists/artists/edward-burch |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240525145729/https://www.nationalgalleries.org/art-and-artists/artists/edward-burch |archive-date=25 May 2024 |access-date=25 May 2024 |website=National Galleries of Scotland}}

Burch served as the librarian of the Royal Academy of Arts from 1794, until 11 February 1814, just seven days before his death on the 18 February 1814.