J & J Boydell's "Measure for Measure" Shakespeare Engraving
Engraved print of a painting by Robert Smirke capturing a moment from Act II: Scene 1 of Measure for Measure by William Shakespeare.
Published April 23, 1798 by J & J Boydell at the Boydell Shakespeare Gallery London, which they constructed. Engraved by Thomas Ryder and Charles Gauthier Playter.
Dimensions: Approximately 25" x 19 1/2"
Condition: VG. Some stains and discoloration around the edges. The engraving itself is in excellent condition.
Please look closely at the images to assess condition or feel free to email us for additional photos.
*Due to the fragile nature of vintage art and vintage items, the listings in the Bygone Goods section of the store are FINAL SALE and not refundable.
About the Art:
A moment of comedy relief, Escalus judges two foolish character - the tapster Froth and the clownish bawd Pompey - both brought to court by Elbow, the constable to the right.
About the Publishers:
John Boydell, the publisher of this series of Shakespeare engravings, spent nearly two decades toward the end of his life pursing what would later be called The Shakespeare Project. The project contained three parts: an illustrated edition of Shakespeare's plays, a public gallery of paintings depicting scenes from the plays, and a folio of prints based on the paintings.
The idea was conceived during a dinner at his nephew Josiah Boydell's home in November 1786. John wanted to use the a Grand Shakespeare edition of images to facilitate the development of a British school of history painting.
To illustrate the edition and provide images for the folio, Boydell obtained the assistance of the most noteworthy painters and engravers of the day. While the Boydell Shakespeare Gallery eventually opened in 1789 - eventually carrying around 170 paintings - it was the published folio, which collected together the images from the paintings, which has been the most lasting legacy of the Boydell enterprise.
The Metropolitan Seminars in Art series was written by John Canaday, a renowned art critic and historian, and published by the Metropolitan Museum of Art in the 1950s. It was designed to make art appreciation accessible to a general audience, focusing on the study of painting, artistic techniques, movements, and history.
Each volume explores a specific theme, such as “Realism,” “Abstraction,” or “Expressionism,” providing insights into artistic styles, techniques, and the cultural context of art. The books include tipped-in color plates, which are fine-quality reproductions of notable artworks. These plates could be detached for display, making them highly collectible.
John Canaday’s clear and engaging prose simplifies complex art concepts, making the series appealing to both beginners and seasoned art enthusiasts. Spanning a wide range of artistic movements, the volumes provide an in-depth yet approachable art education experience.
The series remains a sought-after collectible for its timeless educational value, elegant design, and inclusion of high-quality artwork reproductions. It is especially prized when complete and in good condition with the original prints intact.
We source our Bygone Goods from all over! Through our travels, we’ve built strong relationships with exceptional antique and vintage vendors across the country.
Sometimes, we simply stumble upon rare finds in hidden gem stores.
Every piece we list is carefully curated—if it doesn’t meet our high standards of quality and uniqueness, it doesn’t make the cut.
We ship using USPS and UPS, depending on the destination and the products ordered. All shipments include tracking and up to $200 of insurance.
Complimentary Shipping (Domestic Only):
- USPS Ground Advantage: Complimentary on orders over $100.00.
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Additional Notes:
- Posters and artwork may ship separately from other items but will be dispatched simultaneously.
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Photographs, posters, vintage artwork, vintage items, and "Bygone Goods" products are FINAL SALE and are not returnable.
In cases where items are damaged in transit, exceptions may be made. Gladfellow reserves the right to address these issues on a case by case basis.
For our full return policy, please see return policies.
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