View of Ratcliff’s Library in the City of Oxford, with All Souls’ College on the Right and Brasenose College on the Left / Vue de la Bibliotheque de Ratcliff dans la Ville d’Oxford, ayant le College des Morts a droite & celui de Brazen-nose a Gauche

Location

Country: UK
City: London
Place: Government Art Collection

John Boydell was born at Dorrington. He was apprenticed to an engraver for seven years before publishing his first volume of printed views of England and Wales in 1748. In 1752 he opened a print shop in Cheapside. Boydell later bought old plates, imported prints and sold works in France, Holland, Germany and Italy. In 1789 he opened his Shakespeare Gallery in Pall Mall and the first set of engravings based on paintings exhibited in the gallery was issued in 1791. Many leading artists exhibited at the venue. Later in life he sustained severe financial losses as a result of the French Revolution and was forced to dispose of his Shakespeare Gallery by lottery. He became an alderman of the City of London and rose to be Lord Mayor of London.

Places

Subjects

Materials & Techniques

Artist

John Boydell (1719 - 1804)

Title

View of Ratcliff’s Library in the City of Oxford, with All Souls’ College on the Right and Brasenose College on the Left / Vue de la Bibliotheque de Ratcliff dans la Ville d’Oxford, ayant le College des Morts a droite & celui de Brazen-nose a Gauche

Date

Medium

Engraving

Acquisition

Purchased from Baynton-Williams, February 1977

GAC number

12856