R. Thew (1758-1802) after H. Fuseli - Mid 19th Century Stipple Engraving Hamlet

Description

An engraving by Robert Thew (1758-1802) depicting Act I Scene IV of Shakespeare's 'Hamlet' after a painting by the Swiss painter Henry Fuseli RA (1741-1825). The painting was contributed to the publisher John Boydell's Shakespeare Gallery, launched in 1786 as an exhibition cum print-publishing scheme funded by subscribers. The scene depicts Hamlet being confronted by the ghost of his murdered father who demands vengeance. Inscribed with the title, original date of 1796, lines from the play, and names of the artists in plate to the lower edge. On wove.

Condition

There are some abrasions to the surface, surface dirt, multiple tears around the edges, and a water stain to the upper edge.

Size

55 x 69cm (21.7" x 27.2")

Artist Biography

Robert Thew (1758-1802) was an English engraver. He was born in 1758 at Patrington, Holderness, Yorkshire, where his father kept an inn. He received little education, and for a time followed the trade of a cooper. However, possessing great natural abilities, he invented an ingenious camera obscura and later took up engraving. In 1783 he went to Hull and engraved at first shop-bills and tradesmen's cards. His earliest work of a higher class was a portrait of Harry Rowe, the famous puppet-show man, and in 1786 he etched and published a pair of views of the new dock at Hull which were overlooked by Francis Jukes. Having executed a good plate of a woman's head after Gerard Dou, he obtained from the Marquis of Carmarthen an introduction to John Boydell, for whose large edition of Shakespeare he engraved twenty-two plates after Northcote, Westall, Opie, Peters, and others. Thew also engraved a few excellent portraits, including Master Hare, after Reynolds, 1790; Sir Thomas Gresham, after Sir Anthony More, 1792; and Miss Turner, with the title 'Reflections on Werter' after Richard Crosse. He held the appointment of historical engraver to the Prince of Wales.