Benjamin Smith & George Romney

George Romney and Benjamin Smith were commissioned by Boydell to create two allegorical engravings, "The Infant Shakespeare Attended by Nature and the Passions", was designed as the introductory engraving for the entire Shakespeare set and the "Shakespeare Nursed by Tragedy and Comedy" engraving, was intended as a companion piece, it appeared near the end of the Set. This engraving depicts a scene in the woods, with Tragedy (an unknown woman), Comedy (from a drawing of Emma Hamilton) and the infant William Shakespeare. To the left is Comedy, embracing the infant Shakespeare who sits upon a draped basket. Tragedy kneels to his right, holding a flute for him to play. This is a striking example of the art created by the British artists, Benjamin Smith and George Romney. The inscription beneath the image of this original proof impression reads;

"Shakspeare. Nursed by Tragedy and Comedy. Engraved from the Original Picture Painted by Geo. Romney Esq. In the Possession of Francis Newbery, Esqr. London: Pub. Dec., 1, 1803, by J. & J. Boydell, at the Shakespeare Gallery, Pall Mall, & No. 90, Cheapside. Engraved by B. Smith. Painted by G. Romney Esqr."

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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