This engraved print captures a moment from Act II, Scene 1 of William Shakespeare’s Measure for Measure, based on a painting by Robert Smirke.

Published on April 23, 1798 by J. & J. Boydell at the Boydell Shakespeare Gallery in London, the print reflects one of the most ambitious Shakespearean art projects of the late 18th century.

The work was engraved by Thomas Ryder and Charles Gauthier Playter, translating Smirke’s theatrical composition into a finely detailed printed form.

A compelling piece for collectors of Shakespeare, antique prints, theatrical history, or 18th-century British engraving.

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.

Please note: 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.