John Boydell
(1720-1804), Engraver and printsellerMid-Georgian Portraits Catalogue Entry
Sitter in 13 portraits
Artist associated with 132 portraits
John Boydell was the most important print publisher of his day, and was responsible for the publication of some of the most impressive paintings of the period. In 1769, he launched A Collection of Prints, Engraved from the most Capital Paintings in England. A second volume was completed in 1772. In the 1790s, Boydell began a Shakespeare venture that included the establishment of a Shakespeare Gallery and the publication of an illustrated edition of Shakespeare's plays. Some of the most illustrious painters of the day contributed, but financial woes dogged the project as Britain's economy suffered during the French Revolutionary wars. The expenses were so large that Boydell died almost bankrupt.
after Sir William Beechey
oil on oak panel, based on a work of 1801
NPG 934
by Valentine Green, after Josiah Boydell
mezzotint, published July 1772
NPG D13738
'Shakespeare sacrificed; - or - the offering to avarice' (John Boydell)
by James Gillray, published by Hannah Humphrey
hand-coloured etching and aquatint, published 20 June 1789
NPG D13069
John Boydell ('The monster broke loose - or - a peep into the Shakespeare Gallery')
by James Gillray, published by Hannah Humphrey
hand-coloured etching, published 26 April 1791
NPG D12418
'Titianus Redivivus; - or - the seven-wise-men consulting the new Venetian oracle'
by James Gillray, published by Hannah Humphrey
hand-coloured etching, published 2 November 1797
NPG D13085
by Benjamin Smith, after William Miller
stipple engraving, published 1801
NPG D11094
by Georg Siegmund Facius, after Gilbert Stuart
stipple engraving, published 1802
NPG D13737
by (Benedictus) Antonio van Assen, published by and after J. Parry
hand-coloured etching, published 20 December 1804
NPG D15345
by Henry Meyer, after Gilbert Stuart
stipple engraving, published 1814
NPG D32041
by Henry Meyer, after Gilbert Stuart
stipple engraving, published 1814
NPG D32042
by Henry Meyer, published by T. Cadell & W. Davies, after Gilbert Stuart
stipple engraving, published 21 June 1814
NPG D15346
by Henry Meyer, published by T. Cadell & W. Davies, after Gilbert Stuart
stipple engraving, published 21 June 1814
NPG D18955
by Valentine Green, published by and after Josiah Boydell
mezzotint, published July 1772
NPG D19517
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