John Boydell
(1720-1804), Engraver and printsellerSitter 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.
Francis Russell, Marquess of Tavistock
by James Watson, published by John Boydell, after Sir Joshua Reynolds
mezzotint, published 1767 (1765-1766)
NPG D40824
Francis Russell, Marquess of Tavistock
by James Watson, published by John Boydell, after Sir Joshua Reynolds
mezzotint, published 1767 (1765-1766)
NPG D40825
Francis Russell, Marquess of Tavistock
by James Watson, published by John Boydell, after Sir Joshua Reynolds
mezzotint, published 1767 (1765-1766)
NPG D40826
Francis Russell, Marquess of Tavistock
by James Watson, published by John Boydell, after Sir Joshua Reynolds
mezzotint, published 24 November 1767 (1765-1766)
NPG D40827
Francis Russell, Marquess of Tavistock
by James Watson, published by John Boydell, after Sir Joshua Reynolds
mezzotint, published 24 November 1767 (1765-1766)
NPG D40828
by Valentine Green, published by John Boydell, after Francis Cotes
mezzotint, published 1768
NPG D36258
by Valentine Green, published by John Boydell, after Francis Cotes
mezzotint, published 1 July 1768
NPG D36259
Viscountess Clifden and Duchess of Marlborough
by James Watson, published by John Boydell, after Sir Joshua Reynolds
mezzotint, 1768 (1764-1767)
NPG D38252
by Valentine Green, published by John Boydell, after Thomas Gainsborough
mezzotint, published 2 April 1769 (1766-1769)
NPG D34384
by Valentine Green, published by John Boydell, after Thomas Gainsborough
mezzotint, published 2 April 1769 (1766-1769)
NPG D34385
by Francesco Bartolozzi, published by John Boydell, after Carlo Dolci
etching, published 1769
NPG D14561
by Pieter Stevens van Gunst, published by John Boydell, and published by Josiah Boydell, after Sir Anthony van Dyck
line engraving, late 18th century
NPG D31961
King Charles I; Pierre Antoine Bourdon, Seigneur de St Antoine
by Bernard Baron, published by John Boydell, after Sir Anthony van Dyck
line engraving, published 1770
NPG D26306
Mary (née Ruthven), Lady van Dyck
by Francesco Bartolozzi, after Sir Anthony van Dyck, published by John Boydell
line engraving, published 1770
NPG D28482
Elizabeth Catherine ('Kitty') Clarke (née Hunter)
by Valentine Green, published by John Boydell, after Edward Francis Cunningham (Calze)
mezzotint, published 1771
NPG D33310
by Valentine Green, published by John Boydell, after George Romney
mezzotint, published 1771
NPG D34422
by Valentine Green, published by John Boydell, after George Romney
mezzotint, published 1771
NPG D34423
Samuel Reddish in the Character of Posthumus in 'Cymbeline'
by Valentine Green, published by John Boydell, after Robert Edge Pine
mezzotint, published 1771
NPG D39672
Samuel Reddish in the Character of Posthumus in 'Cymbeline'
by Valentine Green, published by John Boydell, after Robert Edge Pine
mezzotint, published 1771
NPG D39673
Samuel Reddish in the Character of Posthumus in 'Cymbeline'
by Valentine Green, published by John Boydell, after Robert Edge Pine
mezzotint, published 1771
NPG D39674
Comments back to top
We are currently unable to accept new comments, but any past comments are available to read below.
If you need information from us, please use our Archive enquiry service . Please note that we cannot provide valuations. You can buy a print or greeting card of most illustrated portraits. Select the portrait of interest to you, then look out for a Buy a Print button. Prices start at around £6 for unframed prints, £16 for framed prints. If you wish to license an image, select the portrait of interest to you, then look out for a Use this image button, or contact our Rights and Images service. We digitise over 8,000 portraits a year and we cannot guarantee being able to digitise images that are not already scheduled.