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Infant Shakespeare Attended by Nature and the Passions

1799
Not on view
Romney conceived this secular adoration to illuminate Shakespeare’s genius. It focuses on the baby poet blessed by cloaked Nature and watched by figures that embody human emotions. Joy and Sorrow act as chief attendants, while Love, Hatred, and Jealousy watch from the left and Anger, Envy, and Fear stand at right—the group a reminder of the mature playwright’s astounding range. The engraver created this proof to check his progress, with some areas still undeveloped and the stippling at an early stage. When complete, the print introduced a 
folio-size set of engravings based on paintings shown at the publisher John Boydell’s Shakespeare Gallery in London’s Pall Mall.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: Infant Shakespeare Attended by Nature and the Passions
  • Series/Portfolio: Boydell's Shakespeare Gallery
  • Engraver: Benjamin Smith (British, active 1786–1833)
  • Artist: After George Romney (British, Beckside, Lancashire 1734–1802 Kendal, Cumbria)
  • Publisher: John & Josiah Boydell (British, 1786–1804)
  • Subject: William Shakespeare (British, Stratford-upon-Avon 1564–1616 Stratford-upon-Avon)
  • Published in: London
  • Date: 1799
  • Medium: Stipple engraving; early trial state
  • Dimensions: Sheet (trimmed to image): 17 1/8 × 23 1/8 in. (43.5 × 58.7 cm)
  • Classification: Prints
  • Credit Line: The Elisha Whittelsey Collection, The Elisha Whittelsey Fund, 1949
  • Object Number: 49.49.3
  • Curatorial Department: Drawings and Prints

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Sigismonda (Sigismunda), Benjamin Smith British, Etching and engraving
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Harquebusier's Armor of Pedro II, King of Portugal (reigned 1683–1706) with Buff Coat, Richard Holden British, Steel, gold, leather, textile, British, London; buff coat, European
Harquebusier's Armor of Pedro II, King of Portugal (reigned 1683–1706) with Buff Coat
Armorer Armor attributed to Richard Holden
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ca. 1683 and later; buff coat, 17th–18th century
Benjamin Rush M.D. L.L.D., William Satchwell Leney American, born England, Stipple engraving
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Sitter Benjamin Rush
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The Enchanted Island, Before the Cell of Prospero - Prospero and Miranda (Shakespeare, The Tempest, Act 1, Scene 1), Benjamin Smith British, Stipple engraving and etching
The Enchanted Island, Before the Cell of Prospero - Prospero and Miranda (Shakespeare, The Tempest, Act 1, Scene 1)
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originally published 1797; reissued 1852
Presentation Smallsword with Scabbard, James Morisset British, Silver, enamel, steel, paste brilliants, wood, fish skin, British, London
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hallmarked for 1797–98

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