Tieck's Essay on the Boydell Shakspere Gallery   By: George Henry Danton

George Henry Danton's "Tieck's Essay on the Boydell Shakspere Gallery" offers an insightful analysis of the famous German writer Ludwig Tieck's influential essay on the Boydell Shakspere Gallery. Danton, a respected literary critic, delves into Tieck's appreciation for the visual representation of Shakespeare's works, dissecting his arguments while highlighting the significance and impact of the gallery.

The book presents a detailed examination of Tieck's essay, shedding light on his motivations and underlying theories. Danton skillfully navigates through Tieck's eloquent prose, deciphering the central themes and ideas promoted in his work. He dissects how Tieck views the gallery as a means of experiencing Shakespeare's plays in a new and powerful way, bridging the gap between literature and the visual arts.

Danton's writing exhibits a remarkable grasp of literary analysis, providing readers with a comprehensive understanding of Tieck's ideas and the context surrounding them. He not only explores Tieck's admiration for the gallery but also highlights the controversy surrounding its formation and influence on the public's perception of Shakespeare's plays.

One of the book's strengths lies in Danton's ability to seamlessly incorporate historical context, enriching readers' appreciation for Tieck's essay. He deftly explores the broader cultural and artistic environment of the time, explaining how the Boydell Shakspere Gallery was part of a wider movement in the late 18th century to celebrate Shakespeare's genius.

Furthermore, Danton's writing captures the excitement and enthusiasm surrounding the gallery, as well as the debates it sparked. He effectively conveys the fervor with which artists, scholars, and the public engaged with the idea of bringing Shakespeare's characters and scenes to life through paintings and engravings. Danton skillfully balances praising the gallery's ambition while acknowledging its limitations and shortcomings.

The book achieves its objective of convincingly presenting the significance of Tieck's essay and the Boydell Shakspere Gallery within the larger Shakespearean canon. Danton's clear and articulate prose, combined with his meticulous research, make this book an invaluable resource for anyone interested in understanding Tieck's contribution to Shakespearean scholarship and the visual representation of his plays.

While the book's depth of analysis and scholarly tone may not appeal to casual readers, those with a genuine interest in Shakespearean studies, literary criticism, or the history of art will find great value in Danton's work. His thorough examination of Tieck's essay and its implications provides an enlightening perspective on the intersection of literature and visual arts, leaving readers with a renewed appreciation for the enduring impact of Shakespeare's plays and the multifaceted ways they continue to captivate audiences.

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As far as I know, there is no other study of Tieck's first critical paper. I found it worth while to do this monograf because the comparison with the original engraving brought out so many interesting facts, threw light on Tieck's erly critical method, explaind his taste, showd his use of sources and above all, contradicted the positiv assertion of Haym that Lessing's influence is nowhere discernible... Continue reading book >>