A collection of prints, from pictures painted for the purpose of illustrating the dramatic works of Shakspeare / by the artists of Great-Britain.
1803
Items
Linked e-resources
Details
Title
A collection of prints, from pictures painted for the purpose of illustrating the dramatic works of Shakspeare / by the artists of Great-Britain.
Created/published
London : Published by John and Josiah Boydell : Printed by W. Bulmer, 1803.
Description
2 v. : ill. ; 69 cm
Associated name
Note
Dedication and preface by Josiah Boydell dated 1805; the 98 plates are dated 1790-1804.
Of the artists, Smirke, Fuseli, and Northcote contributed the largest number of plates; the others, including Reynolds, Romney, Opie, and Stothard, are represented by one to five plates each; engraved by R. Thew, T. Ryder, P. Simon, and others.
2 title vignettes (of Anne S. Damer's bas reliefs).
Sometimes confused with "Boydell's graphic illustrations ... of Shakspeare", 1804?, a separate issue of the (smaller) plates prepared for their edition of Shakespeare, 1802, which also consists of 100 plates, most of them quite different from these large plates.
Of the artists, Smirke, Fuseli, and Northcote contributed the largest number of plates; the others, including Reynolds, Romney, Opie, and Stothard, are represented by one to five plates each; engraved by R. Thew, T. Ryder, P. Simon, and others.
2 title vignettes (of Anne S. Damer's bas reliefs).
Sometimes confused with "Boydell's graphic illustrations ... of Shakspeare", 1804?, a separate issue of the (smaller) plates prepared for their edition of Shakespeare, 1802, which also consists of 100 plates, most of them quite different from these large plates.
Contents
Vol. 1 contains frontispiece (full length portrait of George III, by Sir W. Beechey) and 46 plates, 40 to 46 being Smirke's Seven ages of man.
Vol. 2 contains frontispiece (portrait of Queen Charlotte, also by Beechey) and 50 plates, the last three "not engraved from the large pictures, but may be added to vol. II". These three are: Romney's "Shakspear nursed by tragedy and comedy", Westall's "Imogen in boy's clothes", and Josiah Boydell's "Desdemona asleep". Including the title vignettes, 100 designs in all. Cf. List of plates, vol. 2.
Vol. 2 contains frontispiece (portrait of Queen Charlotte, also by Beechey) and 50 plates, the last three "not engraved from the large pictures, but may be added to vol. II". These three are: Romney's "Shakspear nursed by tragedy and comedy", Westall's "Imogen in boy's clothes", and Josiah Boydell's "Desdemona asleep". Including the title vignettes, 100 designs in all. Cf. List of plates, vol. 2.
Exhibited
Copy 1, Copy 4. Washington, D.C., Folger Shakespeare Library, 2007. Marketing Shakespeare.
Linked resources
Place of creation/publication
Great Britain -- England -- London.
Item Details
Call number
ART Flat b1-2 copy 1
Folger-specific note
Includes 29 color and hand-colored print duplicates and 8 prints in proof state. Vol. 1 table of contents does not mention plates 40-46 (Smirke's Seven ages of man), which are included in the volume. Vol. 2 table of contents lacking total number of plates statement. Vol. 2 has added color print "King John ratifying the Magna Carta at Runnemede" by William Wynne Ryland after John H. Mortimer, London: Colnaghi, Sala & Co., July 1, 1799. Manuscript notes in table of contents.
Call number
ART Flat b1-2 copy 2
Folger-specific note
2 v. in 1. Imperfect: vol. 1. lacking plates 40-46 (Smirke's Seven ages of man), also not mentioned in table of contents.
Call number
ART Flat b1-2 copy 3
Folger-specific note
2 v. in 1. Imperfect: vol. 1 lacking plates 40-46 (Smirke's Seven ages of man), also not mentioned in table of contents. Bookstamp: Bibliotheque de la Reine, Palais Royal; on vol. 1 title-page.
Call number
ART Flat b1-2 copy 4
Folger-specific note
Includes proof states for most illustrations. Imperfect: Romney's Shakspear nursed by tragedy and comedy (vol. 2, plate 48) misbound in vol. 1. Vol. 2 lacking Westall's Imogen in boy's clothes (plate 49). Bookplate: Ex libris M.C.D. Borden; depicts a ship with two dolphins.