Doll Tearsheet, Falstaff, Henry and Poins (Shakespeare, King Henry IV, Part 2, Act 2, Scene 4)
first published 1795; reissued 1852
Medium
Stipple engraving; third state of three
Dimensions
Image: 19 1/2 x 14 3/16 in. (49.6 x 36 cm) Plate: 22 7/16 × 16 1/8 in. (57 × 41 cm) Sheet: 28 1/16 x 22 in. (71.3 x 55.9 cm)
Classification
Prints
Department
Drawings and Prints
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Gertrude and Thomas Jefferson Mumford Collection, Gift of Dorothy Quick Mayer, 1942
Accession Number
42.119.534
Rights
Public Domain
Tags
Art Historical Context
This vibrant stipple engraving captures a lively tavern brawl from Act 2, Scene 4 of William Shakespeare's *King Henry IV Part 2*, featuring roguish Sir John Falstaff tussling with Doll Tearsheet, while Prince Henry and Poins intervene amid drawn swords. Designed by the dramatic Romantic artist Henry Fuseli, was masterfully engraved by William Swell Leney for John and Josiah Boydell's ambitious *Shakespeare Gallery* project, first published in 179 and reissued in 2. This third-state impression, from the Metropolitan Museum of Art's collection, showcases the chaotic energy of Shakespeare's history plays, blending comedy, intrigue, and royal mischief. Boydell's Gallery was a landmark in late-18th-century British art, commissioning over 160 paintings from top artists to illustrate Shakespeare, then reproducing them as fine engravings to elevate printmaking and promote national culture. Stipple technique—delicate dots building rich tones and textures—allowed intricate details like flowing fabrics, expressive faces, and glinting swords, making these affordable yet luxurious folios popular among collectors. A testament to Shakespeare's enduring appeal, this print (image 19½ × 14¼ in.) highlights Fuseli's flair for theatricality, inviting viewers into the Bard's world of kings, rogues, and revelry.