Josiah Boydell (British, 1752–1817)
“A Fruit Piece in the Marble Parlour at Houghton”
Mezzotint Engraving, 1779
A finely preserved late 18th-century mezzotint engraving by Josiah Boydell, executed in 1779, after a drawing by Joseph Farington, itself based on a celebrated still life by Michelangelo di Campidoglio. Titled A Fruit Piece in the Marble Parlour at Houghton, this work exemplifies the height of British mezzotint engraving during the Georgian period.
The composition presents an opulent arrangement of fruit rendered with remarkable tonal depth and velvety chiaroscuro, hallmarks of the mezzotint technique. The image was engraved and published by Boydell, whose family name is inseparable from the advancement of printmaking in Britain through the influential Boydell Shakespeare Gallery.
This impression is unframed, allowing collectors flexibility for archival presentation. The condition is notable for its age, with strong contrasts, crisp details, and legible inscriptions, including the artist and publisher credits along the plate margin.
Notably, this print is represented in the permanent collections of major international institutions, including:
The Agnes Etherington Art Centre, Queen’s University (Canada)
Christ Church Art Gallery, New Zealand
The Fralin Museum of Art, University of Virginia
Artist: Josiah Boydell
Date: 1779
Medium: Mezzotint engraving on paper
Subject: Classical still life (fruit)
Dimensions: 13 ½ in W × 15 ¼ in H
Condition: Very good antique condition; light age-appropriate toning, strong impression, no major losses
Presentation: Unframed
Museum-held example: Prints held in permanent institutional collections reinforce long-term scholarly and market relevance.
Golden-age mezzotint: Mezzotints from the late 18th century represent a peak moment in tonal printmaking, increasingly scarce in strong condition.
Decorative & intellectual appeal: Classical still lifes of this quality bridge fine art, interior elegance, and academic art history.
Named artists and publisher: Boydell’s name carries enduring weight among collectors of British prints.
Antique mezzotints by established British engravers such as Josiah Boydell continue to gain attention as collectors seek historically significant works that remain attainable compared to oil paintings of the same period. This example benefits from strong provenance by association, institutional validation, and excellent preservation.
As museums increasingly digitize and highlight works on paper, demand for original 18th-century impressions, particularly those in above-average condition, has steadily strengthened. This piece represents a stable, low-volatility acquisition with both decorative presence and long-term collectible value.
Josiah Boydell (British, 1752–1817)
“A Fruit Piece in the Marble Parlour at Houghton”
Mezzotint Engraving, 1779
A finely preserved late 18th-century mezzotint engraving by Josiah Boydell, executed in 1779, after a drawing by Joseph Farington, itself based on a celebrated still life by Michelangelo di Campidoglio. Titled A Fruit Piece in the Marble Parlour at Houghton, this work exemplifies the height of British mezzotint engraving during the Georgian period.
The composition presents an opulent arrangement of fruit rendered with remarkable tonal depth and velvety chiaroscuro, hallmarks of the mezzotint technique. The image was engraved and published by Boydell, whose family name is inseparable from the advancement of printmaking in Britain through the influential Boydell Shakespeare Gallery.
This impression is unframed, allowing collectors flexibility for archival presentation. The condition is notable for its age, with strong contrasts, crisp details, and legible inscriptions, including the artist and publisher credits along the plate margin.
Notably, this print is represented in the permanent collections of major international institutions, including:
The Agnes Etherington Art Centre, Queen’s University (Canada)
Christ Church Art Gallery, New Zealand
The Fralin Museum of Art, University of Virginia
Artist: Josiah Boydell
Date: 1779
Medium: Mezzotint engraving on paper
Subject: Classical still life (fruit)
Dimensions: 13 ½ in W × 15 ¼ in H
Condition: Very good antique condition; light age-appropriate toning, strong impression, no major losses
Presentation: Unframed
Museum-held example: Prints held in permanent institutional collections reinforce long-term scholarly and market relevance.
Golden-age mezzotint: Mezzotints from the late 18th century represent a peak moment in tonal printmaking, increasingly scarce in strong condition.
Decorative & intellectual appeal: Classical still lifes of this quality bridge fine art, interior elegance, and academic art history.
Named artists and publisher: Boydell’s name carries enduring weight among collectors of British prints.
Antique mezzotints by established British engravers such as Josiah Boydell continue to gain attention as collectors seek historically significant works that remain attainable compared to oil paintings of the same period. This example benefits from strong provenance by association, institutional validation, and excellent preservation.
As museums increasingly digitize and highlight works on paper, demand for original 18th-century impressions, particularly those in above-average condition, has steadily strengthened. This piece represents a stable, low-volatility acquisition with both decorative presence and long-term collectible value.
