Jean Pierre Simon 'John Peter Simon, the Younger' & William Hamilton

Shakspeare Gallery: Jean Pierre Simon, As You Like It. Act V, Scene IV. Rosalind, Celia, Hymen, Duke Senior, Orlando, etc.. Publish'd Jany. 1, 1790 by J. & J. Boydell, at the Shakspeare Gallery, Pall Mall; & No. 90, Cheapside, London. Aqua Fortis by P. Simon. Painted by W. Hamilton.

Enter Hymen, leading Rosalind and Celia.

Still Music.

Hymen. Then is there mirth in heaven,
When earthly things made even
Atone together.
Good duke, receive thy daughter,
Hymen from heaven brought her,
Yea, brought her hither;
That thou might’st join her hand with his,
Whose heart within her bosom is.

Rosalind. To you I give myself, for I am yours

[To Duke Senior]

To you I give myself, for I am yours.

[To Orlando.]

Orlando. If there be truth in sight, you are my Rosalind.

Phebe. If sight and shape be true,
Why then, - my love adieu!.

This engraving was created by Jean Pierre Simon after a painting created by William Hamilton 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 the inelegant, and resourceful daughter of Duke Senior (a kind and honest lord, and the rightful ruler of the kingdom, 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 her 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 (disguised as a youth named of Ganymede) & Celia (disguised as a shepherdess named of Aliena). Sir Rowland de Bois, 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 challenges the court's best wrestler, Charles to a match, in order to win Rosalind's heart, Charles whom he defeats, this wins Rosalind's favour, however, the Duke is angered and Orlando is exiled. Sir Rowland de Bois' second son 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, however, 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 returning the throne to his older brother Duke Senior. This particular engraving depicts the celebration in the Forest of Arden, Hymen, the God of Marriage, appears before the two couples, and Duke senior is there to give the brides away in the company of other lords. Other characters in this play include, 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 striking, original example of the art created by the British artists, J. P. Simon, William Hamilton, and the famous Boydell Shakespeare Gallery.

This original engraving is a 'Proof Impression Before Title'. 2. 'Proof 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.of Impression. The text below the image of this proof impression reads;

"Publish'd Jany. 1, 1790 by J. & J. Boydell, at the Shakspeare Gallery, Pall Mall; & No. 90, Cheapside, London. Aqua Fortis by P. Simon. Painted by W. Hamilton."

Note: As this is an original proof impression, it lacks the following text that appears in later impressions.

"Shakspeare. As you like It. Act V, Scene IV. Publish'd Sepr. 29: 1791, by John & Josiah Boydell, at the Shakspeare Gallery, Pall Mall; & at No. 90, Cheapside. Engraved by Peter Simon. Painted by Wm. Hamilton.

Rof. To you I give myself, for I am yours.
Orl. If there be truth in sight, you are my Rosalind."

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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