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John Josiah Boydell Collection

John Josiah Boydell was a prominent figure in the art world during the late 18th century

Background imageJohn Josiah Boydell Collection: Prince Henry, Hotspur and Falstaff (Shakespeare, King Henry

Prince Henry, Hotspur and Falstaff (Shakespeare, King Henry IV, Part 1, Act 5, Scene 4), first published 1796; reissued 1852

Background imageJohn Josiah Boydell Collection: John Milton, August 1, 1797. Creator: George Quinton

John Milton, August 1, 1797. Creator: George Quinton
John Milton, August 1, 1797

Background imageJohn Josiah Boydell Collection: The Beggars Opera, Act III, July 1, 1790. Creator: William Blake

The Beggars Opera, Act III, July 1, 1790. Creator: William Blake
The Beggars Opera, Act III, July 1, 1790

Background imageJohn Josiah Boydell Collection: The Beggars Opera, Act III, 1790. Creator: William Blake

The Beggars Opera, Act III, 1790. Creator: William Blake
The Beggars Opera, Act III, 1790

Background imageJohn Josiah Boydell Collection: Wooded Landscape with Riders, August 1, 1797. Creator: Thomas Gainsborough

Wooded Landscape with Riders, August 1, 1797. Creator: Thomas Gainsborough
Wooded Landscape with Riders, August 1, 1797

Background imageJohn Josiah Boydell Collection: Wooded Landscape with Peasant Reading Tombstone, Rustic Lovers and Ruined Church

Wooded Landscape with Peasant Reading Tombstone, Rustic Lovers and Ruined Church, August 1, 1797

Background imageJohn Josiah Boydell Collection: Wooded Landscape with Two Country Carts and Figures, August 1, 1797

Wooded Landscape with Two Country Carts and Figures, August 1, 1797

Background imageJohn Josiah Boydell Collection: Wooded Landscape with Herdsmen Driving Cattle over a Bridge

Wooded Landscape with Herdsmen Driving Cattle over a Bridge, Rustic Lovers and Ruined Castle, 1797

Background imageJohn Josiah Boydell Collection: Wooded Landscape with Herdsmen and Cows, August 1, 1797. Creator: Thomas Gainsborough

Wooded Landscape with Herdsmen and Cows, August 1, 1797. Creator: Thomas Gainsborough
Wooded Landscape with Herdsmen and Cows, August 1, 1797

Background imageJohn Josiah Boydell Collection: The Reward of Cruelty, 1790. Creator: J Bell

The Reward of Cruelty, 1790. Creator: J Bell
The Reward of Cruelty, 1790. After William Hogarth

Background imageJohn Josiah Boydell Collection: Sigismonda (Sigismunda), June 4, 1795. Creator: Benjamin Smith

Sigismonda (Sigismunda), June 4, 1795. Creator: Benjamin Smith
Sigismonda (Sigismunda), June 4, 1795. After Tristam Bampfylde Freeman

Background imageJohn Josiah Boydell Collection: Pisanio and Imogen (Shakespeare, Cymbeline, Act 3, Scene 4)

Pisanio and Imogen (Shakespeare, Cymbeline, Act 3, Scene 4), first published 1801; reissued 1852

Background imageJohn Josiah Boydell Collection: Mrs. Ford and Mrs Page (Shakespeare, Merry Wives of Windsor, Act 2, Scene 1), 1793

Mrs. Ford and Mrs Page (Shakespeare, Merry Wives of Windsor, Act 2, Scene 1), 1793

Background imageJohn Josiah Boydell Collection: Hamlet, Horatio, Marcellus and the Ghost (Shakespeare, Haml

Hamlet, Horatio, Marcellus and the Ghost (Shakespeare, Hamlet, Act 1, Scene 4), first published 1796; reissued 1852

Background imageJohn Josiah Boydell Collection: King Lear Casting Out His Daughter Cordelia (Shakespeare, K

King Lear Casting Out His Daughter Cordelia (Shakespeare, King Lear, Act 1, Scene 1), first published 1792; reissued 1852

Background imageJohn Josiah Boydell Collection: The Palace at Westminster: King Henry and the Prince of Wal

The Palace at Westminster: King Henry and the Prince of Wales (Shakespeare, King Henry IV, Part 2, Act 4, Scene 4), first published 1795; reissued 1852

Background imageJohn Josiah Boydell Collection: Queen Catherine, Cardinal Wolsey and Cardinal Campeius (Sha

Queen Catherine, Cardinal Wolsey and Cardinal Campeius (Shakespeare, King Henry VIII, Act 3, Scene 1), first published 1796; reissued 1852

Background imageJohn Josiah Boydell Collection: Infant Shakespeare Attended by Nature and the Passions, 1799. Creator: Benjamin Smith

Infant Shakespeare Attended by Nature and the Passions, 1799. Creator: Benjamin Smith
Infant Shakespeare Attended by Nature and the Passions, 1799

Background imageJohn Josiah Boydell Collection: The Princess, Rosaline, etc. (Shakespeare, Loves Labour s

The Princess, Rosaline, etc. (Shakespeare, Loves Labour s
The Princess, Rosaline, etc. (Shakespeare, Loves Labours Lost, Act 4, Scene 1), first published 1793; reissued 1852

Background imageJohn Josiah Boydell Collection: Cruelty in Perfection, 1790. Creator: J Bell

Cruelty in Perfection, 1790. Creator: J Bell
Cruelty in Perfection, 1790

Background imageJohn Josiah Boydell Collection: Off, off, you lendings-Come unbutton here (Shakespeare, King Lear, Act 3, Scene 4), 1793

Off, off, you lendings-Come unbutton here (Shakespeare, King Lear, Act 3, Scene 4), 1793
Off, off, you lendings - Come unbutton here (Shakespeare, King Lear, Act 3, Scene 4), 1793

Background imageJohn Josiah Boydell Collection: Doll Tearsheet, Falstaff, Henry and Poins (Shakespeare, Kin

Doll Tearsheet, Falstaff, Henry and Poins (Shakespeare, King Henry IV, Part 2, Act 2, Scene 4), first published 1795; reissued 1852

Background imageJohn Josiah Boydell Collection: Portrait of Henry Hope, Charles Howard Hodges, John & Josiah Boydell, 1788

Portrait of Henry Hope, Charles Howard Hodges, John & Josiah Boydell, 1788

Background imageJohn Josiah Boydell Collection: Portrait of Anne Goddard Williams Hope, Charles Howard Hodges, John & Josiah Boydell

Portrait of Anne Goddard Williams Hope, Charles Howard Hodges, John & Josiah Boydell, 1788


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John Josiah Boydell was a prominent figure in the art world during the late 18th century. Known for his passion and support of the arts, he played a significant role in promoting and commissioning various works that have become iconic today. One of his notable contributions was his collaboration with renowned artists such as George Quinton, William Blake, and Thomas Gainsborough. Together, they brought to life captivating scenes from Shakespeare's plays like Prince Henry, Hotspur, and Falstaff from King Henry. These artworks not only showcased their exceptional talent but also immortalized these beloved characters on canvas. Boydell's dedication to literature extended beyond Shakespearean dramas. He also worked closely with John Milton, resulting in breathtaking pieces like "August 1st" created by George Quinton. This artwork beautifully captures the essence of Milton's literary genius. In addition to theatrical masterpieces, Boydell collaborated with William Blake on The Beggars Opera Act III series. These illustrations perfectly captured the spirit of this satirical play while showcasing Blake's unique artistic style. Boydell had an eye for landscapes as well; he commissioned several works by Thomas Gainsborough that depicted serene wooded landscapes adorned with rustic elements such as lovers at a ruined church or herdsmen driving cattle over bridges. These paintings allowed viewers to escape into nature's tranquility while appreciating Gainsborough's mastery of capturing light and atmosphere. Not limited to traditional subjects, Boydell supported social commentary through art too. J Bell’s "The Reward of Cruelty" is one such example where he shed light on the consequences of cruelty towards animals—a powerful message conveyed through vivid imagery. Another remarkable piece commissioned by Boydell was Benjamin Smith’s "Sigismonda. " This painting portrayed intense emotions derived from Shakespearean tragedy—showcasing Smith’s ability to capture raw human sentiment on canvas.