Josiah Boydell

The recorded working language is English. Places of work recorded in the authority are London. Work by Josiah Boydell is recorded in the collections of Nationalmuseum, Museo del Prado, National Gallery of Victoria, Los Angeles County Museum of Art and Ackland Art Museum.

Boydell was born in Hawarden, Flintshire, the fourth child of a farmer, Samuel Boydell (1727–1783), and his wife Ann, née Turner (1725–1764). In 1766, at the age of 14, he moved to London to begin his seven-year apprenticeship to Samuel's brother, John Boydell. While an apprentice, he learned painting from Benjamin West and mezzotint engraving from Richard Earlom. After completing his apprenticeship, he continued to work closely with John Boydell, making some engravings himself and drawing scenes for others. He also exhibited at the Royal Academy between 1772 and 1779. One of his major early tasks was to draw the picture collection of Sir Robert Walpole at Houghton Hall, Norfolk, prior to the export of the pictures to Catherine the Great of Russia. Boydell worked on this project with Joseph and George Farington. While in Norfolk, he met and (on 6 December 1774) married Jane North, the daughter of Sir Roger North. Josiah and Jane had several children. One son, John North Boydell, was later involved in the family's publishing company.

• Illustration — Desdemona Asleep, from Othello (Act V, scene 2), drawn by Josiah Boydell for the Folio published by the Boydell Shakespeare Gallery This partial list is based largely on Fagan.

• frontispiece to Liber Veritatis (25 March 1777, a self-portrait by Claude Lorrain) • Charles I (1778, after Van Dyck) • Jane Wenman (1779, after Van Dyck)

The authorities additionally record the headings Josias Boydell, Jos Boydell, Boydell and Joseph Boydell. His recorded language was English. Other recorded relations include John Boydell.

Green, 1774, after Josiah Boydell after T. A collection of views in England and Wales, drawn and engraved by John Boydell. Facius after Josiah Boydell after J. Green, 1775, after Josiah Boydell after C. Josiah Boydell is recorded as painter, printmaker, print publisher, printseller and art dealer.

• Portrait of Alderman John Boydell (exhibited at the Royal Academy, 1772) • Portrait of Jane North in the character of Juno (exhibited at the Royal Academy, 1776) • Portrait of Josiah and Jane Boydell (exhibited at the Royal Academy, 1776)

For the Folio, Volume II • Prince Henry Taking the Crown, from Henry IV, Part 2 (Act IV, scene 4) • Prince Henry’s Apology, from Henry IV, Part 2 (Act IV, scene 4) • a scene from Henry VI, Part 1 (Act II, scene 4) • a scene from Henry VI, Part 3 (Act II, scene 5) • Desdemona Asleep from Othello (Act V, scene 2) For the Illustrated Edition, Volume VI • Henry VI, Part 1 (Act II, scene 4) For the Illustrated Edition, Volume IX • Desdemona Asleep, from Othello (Act V, scene 2)