Josiah Boydell facts for kids

Josiah Boydell (born in 1752, died in 1817) was a talented British artist and publisher. He is best known for helping his uncle, John Boydell, create the famous Boydell Shakespeare Gallery. This gallery was a special place that celebrated the plays of William Shakespeare through amazing artworks.

Josiah Boydell's Early Life and Training

Josiah was born in Hawarden, Flintshire, in 1752. He was the fourth child in his family. When he was 14 years old, in 1766, he moved to London. There, he began an apprenticeship with his uncle, John Boydell. An apprenticeship is like a long training period where you learn a skill from an expert. Josiah spent seven years learning to be an artist. He learned painting from a famous artist named Benjamin West. He also learned a special type of engraving called mezzotint from Richard Earlom.

Working with John Boydell

After finishing his training, Josiah continued to work closely with his uncle. He made some engravings himself. He also drew scenes for other artists to engrave. Josiah showed his own paintings at the Royal Academy between 1772 and 1779.

One important job he had was to draw the art collection of Sir Robert Walpole at Houghton Hall, Norfolk. He did this before the pictures were sent to Catherine the Great in Russia. Josiah worked on this project with Joseph and George Farington. While in Norfolk, he met Jane North. They got married on December 6, 1774.

Josiah and Jane had several children. One of their sons, John North Boydell, later worked in the family's publishing business.

Artworks by Josiah Boydell

Desdemona Asleep, from Othello (Act V, scene 2), drawn by Josiah Boydell for the Folio published by the Boydell Shakespeare Gallery

Josiah Boydell created many different types of art. Here are some examples of his work:

Famous Paintings

• Portrait of Alderman John Boydell (shown at the Royal Academy, 1772)
• Portrait of Jane North in the character of Juno (shown at the Royal Academy, 1776)
• Portrait of Josiah and Jane Boydell (shown at the Royal Academy, 1776)

Art for the Shakespeare Gallery

Josiah drew many pictures for the famous Boydell Shakespeare Gallery. These drawings were used in special books that showed scenes from William Shakespeare's plays.

For the Folio, Volume II

• Prince Henry Taking the Crown, from Henry IV, Part 2 (Act IV, scene 4)
• Prince Henry’s Apology, from Henry IV, Part 2 (Act IV, scene 4)
• A scene from Henry VI, Part 1 (Act II, scene 4)
• A scene from Henry VI, Part 3 (Act II, scene 5)
• Desdemona Asleep from Othello (Act V, scene 2)

For the Illustrated Edition, Volume VI

• A scene from Henry VI, Part 1 (Act II, scene 4)

For the Illustrated Edition, Volume IX

• Desdemona Asleep, from Othello (Act V, scene 2)

Engravings

Josiah also made engravings, which are prints made from a carved surface.

• Frontispiece to Liber Veritatis (March 25, 1777, a self-portrait by Claude Lorrain)
• Charles I (1778, after Van Dyck)
• Jane Wenman (1779, after Van Dyck)