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.
by Richard Earlom, after Sir Peter Lely, published by John Boydell
mezzotint, published 1776
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by John Raphael Smith, published by John Boydell, after Matthew William Peters
mezzotint, published 15 August 1776 (1775)
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by John Raphael Smith, published by John Boydell, after Matthew William Peters
mezzotint, published 15 August 1776 (1775)
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Henrietta Morris (née Musgrave), Lady Morris
by John Raphael Smith, published by John Boydell, after Sir Joshua Reynolds
mezzotint, published 16 July 1776 (circa 1775-1776)
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Henrietta Morris (née Musgrave), Lady Morris
by John Raphael Smith, published by John Boydell, after Sir Joshua Reynolds
mezzotint, published 16 July 1776 (circa 1775-1776)
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Harriet Mackenzie (née Powell), Countess of Seaforth
by John Raphael Smith, published by John Boydell, after Matthew William Peters
mezzotint, published 23 October 1776
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Harriet Mackenzie (née Powell), Countess of Seaforth
by John Raphael Smith, published by John Boydell, after Matthew William Peters
mezzotint, published 23 October 1776
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Harriet Mackenzie (née Powell), Countess of Seaforth
by John Raphael Smith, published by John Boydell, after Matthew William Peters
mezzotint, published 23 October 1776
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by J. Meers, printed for and published by John Boydell, after Thomas Parkinson
mezzotint, published 15 November 1776
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by Josiah Boydell, published by John Boydell, after Sir Anthony van Dyck
mezzotint, 1778
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by James Watson, published by John Boydell, after Sir Joshua Reynolds
mezzotint, published 18 May 1778
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by William Pether, published by John Boydell, after Elisabeth-Louise Vigée-Le Brun
mezzotint, published 9 November 1778
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by James Watson, published by John Boydell, after Sir Anthony van Dyck
mezzotint, published 1 May 1779 (circa 1635-1637)
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by James Watson, published by John Boydell, after Sir Anthony van Dyck
mezzotint, published 1 May 1779 (circa 1635-1637)
NPG D37189
by Josiah Boydell, published by John Boydell, after Sir Anthony van Dyck
mezzotint, published 1 May 1779
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by John Watts, published by John Boydell, after Sir Joshua Reynolds
mezzotint, published 18 July 1780 (1773)
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by John Murphy, published by John Boydell, after Charles Grignion
mezzotint, published 1780 (1778)
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by James Watson, published by John Boydell, after Charles Grignion
mezzotint, published 1 November 1780
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George Sackville Germain, 1st Viscount Sackville
by Johann Jacobé, published by John Boydell, after George Romney
mezzotint, published 1 November 1780 (circa 1780)
NPG D39984
by Francesco Bartolozzi, published by John Boydell, after Sir Joshua Reynolds
stipple engraving, published 3 September 1780 (circa 1777-1778)
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