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18th C. English Shakespearean Engraving - Boydell
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Europe, England, Robert Thew (English, 1758 to 1802) after Josiah Boydell (English, 1752 to 1817), "Prince Henry Taking the Crown" from Henry IV Part 2, Act IV, Scene 4, engraving, published by the same Josiah Boydell, 1795 CE. A detailed engraving of a pivotal scene from one of Shakespeare's history plays - the style employing a dramatic use of chiaroscuro - light and dark. The ill and elderly king, Henry IV, lies sleeping; his son, Prince Hal (soon to be Henry V) has entered and, thinking that his father has died, places his hand upon his crown. The young prince is handsome, outfitted magnificently, his face concerned. In this moment, he is lamenting that the metaphorical weight of the crown has destroyed his father's health. The artist has depicted the details of the monarch's room well, with rich draperies and mattress; the crest of the monarchy is painted on the pillow above his head. Size of engraving: 14.25" W x 20" H (36.2 cm x 50.8 cm); size in frame: 25.5" W x 31.75" H (64.8 cm x 80.6 cm)
Josiah Boydell, born in Hawarden, Flintshire (northeast Wales), moved to London in 1766 to apprentice himself to his uncle John Boydell; he later became John's partner at his publishing house. Together they created the Boydell Shakespeare Gallery, a project created in an effort to foster a school of British history painting (the Boydells were very worried about the French surpassing the English in this regard). Their plans included producing an illustrated version of Shakespeare's plays and a folio of prints based on paintings done by different contemporary painters. During the 1790s, they showed these paintings at their London gallery, which was incredibly popular, capitalizing on renewed interest in Shakespeare's works in the late 18th century. The London press reported weekly on the building of the gallery on Pall Mall. Now, most of the original paintings have been lost, making the engravings from the folio the major surviving record of this fascinating effort.
Provenance: Ex-Faires Collection
All items legal to buy/sell under U.S. Statute covering cultural patrimony Code 2600, CHAPTER 14, and are guaranteed to be as described or your money back.
A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany all winning bids.
We ship worldwide to most countries and handle all shipping in-house for your convenience.
#121706
Josiah Boydell, born in Hawarden, Flintshire (northeast Wales), moved to London in 1766 to apprentice himself to his uncle John Boydell; he later became John's partner at his publishing house. Together they created the Boydell Shakespeare Gallery, a project created in an effort to foster a school of British history painting (the Boydells were very worried about the French surpassing the English in this regard). Their plans included producing an illustrated version of Shakespeare's plays and a folio of prints based on paintings done by different contemporary painters. During the 1790s, they showed these paintings at their London gallery, which was incredibly popular, capitalizing on renewed interest in Shakespeare's works in the late 18th century. The London press reported weekly on the building of the gallery on Pall Mall. Now, most of the original paintings have been lost, making the engravings from the folio the major surviving record of this fascinating effort.
Provenance: Ex-Faires Collection
All items legal to buy/sell under U.S. Statute covering cultural patrimony Code 2600, CHAPTER 14, and are guaranteed to be as described or your money back.
A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany all winning bids.
We ship worldwide to most countries and handle all shipping in-house for your convenience.
#121706
Condition
Engraving is in excellent condition; the frame is in good condition on the front with a few very minor nicks, but the back has some light damage.
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18th C. English Shakespearean Engraving - Boydell
Estimate $800 - $1,200
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