Imogen (Shakespeare, Cymbeline, Act 3, Scene 6)

Art Historical Context

Step into the dramatic world of Shakespeare's *Cymbeline* with this 1803 stipple engraving proof titled *Imogen (Shakespeare, Cymbeline Act 3, Scene 6)*. Created by painter Richard Westall, engraver Thomas Gaugain, and published by John and Josiah Boydell, it a pivotal moment featuring the resilient heroine Imogen amid tension evoked by swords and feminine strength—themes hinted at in its tags. Measuring an impressive 22 5/16 × 16 inches, this print hails from the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Drawings and Prints collection, acquired through the Harris Brisbane Dick Fund in 1924. As part of the Boydell Shakespeare Gallery project (1786–1805), this work exemplifies early Romantic enthusiasm for illustrating the Bard's plays to make high art accessible via affordable prints. Stipple engraving, Gaugain's specialty, uses fine dots to build subtle tones and textures, ideal for reproducing Westall's painterly designs with delicate shading on costumes and expressions. Proof impressions like this were early pulls from the plate, often prized for their freshness before widespread production. This artwork bridges literature and visual culture, fueling 19th-century Bardolatry while showcasing printmaking's role in democratizing Shakespeare. Imagine Victorian audiences poring over such scenes, swords gleaming as symbols of peril and valor in Imogen's tale!

About the Artist

William Shakespeare|Thomas Gaugain|Richard Westall|John & Josiah Boydell (British|British|British|British) · 1840 |1831 |1564 |1564 –1877 |1912 |1616 |1616

British, active 1840–77|British, London 1831–1912 London|British, Stratford-upon-Avon 1564–1616 Stratford-upon-Avon|British, Stratford-upon-Avon 1564–1616 Stratford-upon-Avon