Russborough.com:Boydell Shakespeare Prints

Since 1763 the name 'Russborough' has been synonymous with collecting and dealing in fine art. In the closing decades of the last century the historic town of Port Hope has become home to Lord Russborough's Annex, which specialises in an individual mix of antique maps, paintings and prints.

While Lord Russborough's Annex features a great many works of museum calibre, we also offer a wonderful selection of prints priced at under $100.

An extract of our prints currently available:
The Boydell Shakespeare Prints 1 2 3



	The Boydell Shakespeare Prints An entire building dedicated to the exhibition of new paintings based on Shakespeare's works was opened to the public in Pall Mall in 1789. The one hundred engravings published by Boydell after paintings in the gallery were printed independently on high-quality wove Whatman paper and could be inserted and removed as the purchaser desired. The first volumes of the Dramatic Works were published in 1791 and the last in 1805 as A Collection of prints from pictures painted for the purpose of illustrating the the dramatic works of Shakespeare by the artists of Great Britain. The surviving engraved prints are the only adequate record of that Gallery and, because of the unique importance of the Gallery, indeed it has been written that Boydell "did more for the advancement of the arts in England than the whole mass of the nobility put together!" for his Gallery reflected the transition from Neoclassicism to Romanticism, they form a record of the achievements and limitations of much of English art at the end of the 18th century. John Boydell (19 January 1720 – 12 December 1804) was a prosperous English engraver and publisher of prints who became Sheriff of London and in 1790, its Lord Mayor. The commissioning of these paintings and engravings was an audacious plan to revive the artistic spirit of his countrymen and at the same time pay homage to William Shakespeare at a time when the engraver's art was at a low point. The works of the immortal bard were visualized through these engravings revealing the æsthetic theories and techniques of the most significant artists of the day.



	Vol. 2 No. XXXI ROMEO AND JULIET Act IV Scene V Juliet on her bed Friar Lawrence, Capulet, Lady Capulet, Paris, Friar, Nurse, Musicians etc. Painted by J.Opie RA. Engraved by G.S. & J.G. Facius 1791 Original Copper engraving, crease (top right) French lined museum matt, glazed, black & gilt wood frame. 18 3/4 x 23 1/4" inc. letters. (47.7 x 59 cm.) Frame: 27 1/4 x 32" Ref.DW40 /DNN/ e.ANDE > ALN [set ALN/VNN] PRICE CODE B click here for price code guide



	Vol. 1 No.Vol. 2 No. XXXI ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA Act III Scene IX The Palace in Alexandria Antony, Cleopatra, Eros, Charmian, Iras etc. Painted by H. Tresham RA. Engraved by G.S. & J.G. Facius 1795 Original Copper engraving, some early repairs to image (bottom right). French lined museum matt, glazed, black & gilt wood frame. 18 3/4 x 23 1/2" inc. letters. (47.7 x 59.7 cm.) Frame: 27 1/4 x 32" Ref.DW38 /DNN/ e.ANDE > ALN [set ALN/VNN] PRICE CODE B click here for price code guide



	XXXIV A WINTER'S TALE Act III Scene III A desert place near the sea Antigonus pursued by a bear Painted by J.Wright of Derby. Engraved by S. Middiman 1794 18 3/4 x 23 3/8" inc. letters. (47.7 x 59.4 cm.) Frame: 27 1/4 x 32" Original Copper engraving, French lined museum matt, glazed, black & gilt wood frame. Ref.DW39/DNN/ e.ANDE > ALN [set ALN/VNN] PRICE CODE B click here for price code guide