William Satchwell Leney & John Downman

Shakspeare., As You Like It. Act I, Scene II. Before the Duke's Palace. Rosalind, Celia, Orlando & Attendants etc. Charles carried off. Pub. June 4, 1800 by J & J. Boydell, No. 90, Cheapside & at the Shakspeare Gallery, Pall Mall, London. Engraved by William Leney. Painted by John Downman.

Rosalind. Gentleman,
[Giving him a chain from her neck.]
Wear this for me, - one out of suits with fortune,
That could give more but her hand lacks means.
Shall we go, coz?

Celia. Ay: - Fare you well. fair gentleman.

Orlando. Can I not say I thank you? My better parts
Are all thrown down; and that which here stands up
Is but a quintain, a mere lifeless block.

Rosalind. He calls us back: My pride fell with my fortunes:
I'll ask him what he would: - Did you call, sir?
Sir, you have wrestled well, and overthrown
More than your enemies.

Celia. Will you go, coz?

Rosalind. Have with you: - Fare you well.
[Exeunt Rosalind and Celia] ... *Shakespeare

This engraving was created by William Satchwell Leney after a painting created by John Downman as commissioned by Boydell for the Shakespeare Gallery to represent Act 5, Scene 4 from a play entitled, As You Like It by William Shakespeare. The Scene takes place in the Forest of Arden with Rosalind, Celia, Hymen, Duke Senior, Orlando, and others. Rosalind is believed to be one of Shakespeare's most delightful heroines. She is a witty and beautiful, young woman, and is also the inelegant, and resourceful daughter of Duke Senior. The Duke is a kind and honest lord, and the rightful ruler of the kingdom, who was exiled to the Forest of Arden by his younger brother, Frederick. Ever since Duke Frederick, the selfish, and cruel tyrant, usurped the throne, Rosalind has been been living at the palace with him and her cousin Celia, a loving, and sensible girl, and Rosalind's inseparable loyal companion and friend. Overcome by anger and jealousy, the Duke has decided to exile Rosalind as well. Much to his surprise, both girls have fled the court together in the company of Touchstone, the court jester. Rosalind is disguised as a youth named of Ganymede & Celia is disguised as a shepherdess named of Aliena. Sir Rowland de Boys, a good friend of Duke Senior, and an enemy of Duke Frederick has died, leaving behind his estate and three sons. The youngest is Oliver, a handsome youth, noble and valiant with a friendly disposition, and a strong wrestler. He eventually challenges the court's best wrestler, Charles to a match, and defeats him in order to win Rosalind's heart. This of course, wins Rosalind's favour. The Duke is angered and Orlando is exiled. This particular engraving depicts the scene where Orlando has just defeated Charles who is being carried off in the background. To the right of the image, Rosalind is showing him her favour and Celia is by her side. The second son of Sir Rowland de Bois is Jacques de Bois, a quiet, well educated man who intends to follow a religious life in a monastery. Oliver is the oldest son, thus the heir to the estate, but he is an overbearing, and malicious brute. He has not only reneged on his father's will to educate Orlando, but he has plans to execute one of the most heinous of crimes (to kill his brother). During their time in exile, both the girls and the sons of Sir Rowland de Bois fall madly in love. Rosalind with Orlando and Celia with Oliver. In the end, Oliver is transformed into a better person and is reconciled with his brother who saved his life. Duke Frederick converts and decides to follow a religious path in a monastery, therefore relinquishes the throne to his older brother Duke Senior. Before departing to the palace, there is a celebration in the Forest of Arden, Hymen, the God of Marriage, appears before the two couples, and Duke senior is there to give the bride away in the company of others. The play also includes other lords in Duke Seniors party, Amiens, and Jacques, the courtiers and servants, Le Beau, Adam, and Denis, the shepherds in the Forest of Arden, Silvius, and Corin, and Shepherdesses, Phebe, and Audrey, etc. etc. This is a superb, original example of the British art of William Satchwell Leney, John Downman and the famous Boydell Shakespeare Gallery.

This original engraving is an Artist Proof Impression'. 1. 'Artist's Proofs'. These are the earliest of states and were printed in only a handful of impressions. They are identified not only by their vibrant lines and tones but by the fact that they lack any letters along the lower margin. Note: As this is an original proof impression, it lacks the following text that appears in later impressions.

Shakspeare., As You Like It. Act I, Scene II. Before the Duke's Palace. Rosalind, Celia, Orlando & Attendants etc. Charles carried off. Pub. June 4, 1800 by J & J. Boydell, No. 90, Cheapside & at the Shakspeare Gallery, Pall Mall, London. Engraved by William Leney. Painted by John Downman.

Ros. Gentleman,
[Giving him a chain from her neck.]
Wear this for me, - one out of suits with fortune;
That could give more but her hand lacks means.
Shall we go, coz?

An Important Note on Boydell States and Editions: Proof impressions and true first edition impressions are easily identified by their fine lines and strong contrasts of black and white tones. Later more common editions print in a more overall grey tone and contain areas of re-working. Briefly, the publishing history of these great engravings can be categorized into five states or editions:

1. 'Artist's Proofs'. These are the earliest of states and were printed in only a handful of impressions. They are identified not only by their vibrant lines and tones but by the fact that they lack any letters along the lower margin.
2. 'Proofs Before Title'. These impressions usually contain the names of the artist, publisher and engraver along the lower margin. They lack the title of the specific play depicted and usually the heading -- 'Shakspeare' -- is smaller than in the published edition. Once again, this state was printed in a very small numbers.
3. 'Open Letter Proofs'. These impressions bear the title of the play. the heading, 'Shakspeare' (Shakespeare), is yet to be filled in with stippling. These impressions were printed before the publication of the first edition and were probably struck from the plate at a customer's request. Perhaps ten to twenty Open Letter Proofs exist for each engraving.
4. 'First Edition Impressions'. The completed set of Boydell's Shakespeare engravings was published in London in 1803. The full publisher's address appears along the lower margin as well as the text for the play. The heading, 'Shakspeare', is now filled in with stippling. Both first edition impressions and proofs were most often printed on either hand-made, laid paper or wove paper bearing the 'J. Whatman' watermark.
5. 'Posthumous Impressions and Restrikes' As early as 1807, John Stockdale of London issued a second edition of the Shakespeare prints. They continued to be published throughout the first half of the nineteenth century. Finally, in 1852, an enterprising dentist in New York City (with the delightful name of Shearjashub Spooner) acquired the plates, restored them and produced the last edition. These prints are most commonly offered for sale.

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