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Benjamin Smith & Richard Westall

Paradise Regained: The Fall of Satan (The Poetical Works of John Milton)

Benjamin Smith’s original stipple engraving, "Paradise Regained: The Fall of Satan" was designed by the British artist, Richard Westall for John Boydell's "The Poetical Works of John Milton". Richard Westall designed all the engravings, including this original example which was used as the frontis piece for Book Four of "Paradise Regained". This impression contains the engraver's name, "B. Smith Sculpt.", the designer's name, "R. Westall, R. A. delt.", title, "Paradise Regain'd. B. 4. L. 560.", which stands for (Book Four. Line 560 of Milton's Paradise Regained), and the publisher's details "Publish'd June 4, 1795 by J. & J. Boydell & G. Nicol, Shakspeare Gallery, Pall Mall; & No. 90, Cheapside." printed below the image. Perhaps because of their subject matter, the Westall designs for the Milton etchings bear similarities to the fantastic art of his two great British contemporaries, Henry Fuseli and William Blake. Milton’s rich poetry, his vision of spirituality and of the forces of good and evil, provided a valuable framework for all three artists. John Milton’s lines pertaining to this original engraving are provided below. "Paradise Regained: The Fall of Satan" illustrates the final scene and temptation of this epic poem. Satan delivers Christ back to the wilderness and carries him to the highest pinnacle. This original Benjamin Smith stipple engraving is a superb example of late eighteenth century British art.

Title:	Paradise Regained: The Fall of Satan
Engraver:	Smith, Benjamin (London, 1754 - 1833)
Designer:	Westall, Richard (Hertford, 1765 - London, 1836)
Date:	1795
Medium:	Original Stipple Engraving
Publisher	J. & J. Boydell & G. Nicol, Shakspeare Gallery, Pall Mall; & No. 90, Cheapside
Source:	The Poetical Works of John Milton
Note:	Benjamin Smith: A great 18th and early nineteenth century engraver, Benjamin Smith studied stippling techniques under Francesco Bartolozzi in London. During his career Smith engraved many fine plates after the designs of contemporary masters such as William Hogarth, William Beechey and George Romney. He also created portrait engravings of such noteworthy individuals as Marquis Cornwallis and George III. Benjamin Smith was frequently commissioned by John Boydell to engrave plates for both his Shakespeare Gallery and for his Milton set. Such is the case for this original stipple engraving, entitled, "Paradise Regained: The Fall of Satan", which hails from the Milton set.
	Richard Westall: After attending the Royal Academy schools in London (1785), Richard Westall devoted himself to history and landscape subjects. He was an early practitioner of the watercolour medium and many publishers of illustrated books soon sought his designs for publication of illustrated editions of Gray, Moore, Crabbe and other poets of the day. During the 1790's, Richard Westall was commissioned by Boydell to work upon both the Milton and Shakespeare sets. Richard Westall was elected an Associate of the prestigious Royal Academy in 1792 and a full Academician in 1794. In the 1820's he was appointed the drawing master to then Princess Victoria.
	John Boydell (Shropshire, 1719 - London, 1804): John Boydell is easily one of England’s most remarkable 18th century personalities. Born in poverty, he began his career as an at best mediocre engraver of small book plates. At this time England was at a very low ebb as a serious centre for the visual arts (particularly engraving) and Boydell sought to eradicate this situation by beginning a second career as a publisher of fine prints. Modest initial experiments in the 1760’s led to a rapid expansion of his business and during the 1770’s he published his striking series of mezzotint engravings, "Liber Veritas", engraved by Richard Earlom after the drawings of Claude Lorrain. This ambitious undertaking put England back on the printmaking map and was a huge financial success for John Boydell.
	John Boydell had now established London as a major centre for the arts and this once poor and struggling engraver/publisher was acknowledged for his efforts by being elected no less than Lord Mayor of London, in 1791. The same year marked the beginning of Boydell’s most grandiose undertaking. His new publishing establishment in Pall Mall, ‘The Shakespeare Gallery’, began by commissioning the most esteemed painters and engravers in the country to create and design large and expensive engravings based upon the plays and life of William Shakespeare. By this time as well John Boydell’s nephew, Josiah (1752-1817), had joined the firm.
	This monumental venture continued until Boydell’s death thirteen years later. By that time, "Shakspeare Gallery" had created and published one hundred and seventy engravings on a grand scale. Alas, the expenses for this vast project had been so large that England’s foremost publisher of art ended his life the way he began, dying penniless.
	At this time England’s other great literary giant, John Milton, was honoured by Boydell. "The Poetical Works of John Milton" was published in three parts in 1794, 1795 and 1797. Sparing no expense, Boydell commissioned George Romney to design a portrait plate and Richard Westall to design images illustrating each part of "Paradise Lost" and "Paradise Regained" as well as the more famous individual poems. The engravers included Richard Earlom, Thomas Kirk, Jean Pierre Simon, Benjamin Smith, Moses Haughton Junior, Dutterau and John Ogborne.
	Unlike the Shakespeare engravings, the Milton prints were constructed almost solely in the stipple technique. Stippling reached its golden age in late eighteenth century England. The technique was promoted and taught by Francesco Bartolozzi (Florence, Italy, 1727 - Lisbon, Portugal, 1815). Many of the above mentioned engravers were among his finest students. Briefly, stippling was a tonal method where the image was created not with solid lines but with a multitude of dots or flicks. Under a master’s hand, stippling magnificently captured tonal values by contrasting areas of light and shade. Unfortunately it was most laborious and quickly became extinct with advances in aquatint engraving in the early nineteenth century. Yet to this day some of the most subtle and sensual engravings in the history of British art belong to the stipple engravers of the late eighteenth century.
	As one can easily see, these stipple engravings for Boydell’s "The Poetical Works of John Milton" are masterpieces of their kind. The tonal values from light to dark one views in "Paradise Regained: The Fall of Satan", arival the best eighteenth century mezzotints. aThis original Benjamin Smith stipple engraving contains the engraver's name, "B. Smith Sculpt.", the designer's name, "R. Westall, R. A. delt.", title, "Paradise Regain'd. B. 4. L. 560.", which stands for (Book Four. Line 560 of Milton's Paradise Regained), and the publisher's details "Publish'd June 4, 1795 by J. & J. Boydell & G. Nicol, Shakspeare Gallery, Pall Mall; & No. 90, Cheapside." printed below the image.
	A Note on Paradise Regained: Such masterworks as "Paradise Lost", "Paradise Regained", "Samson Agonistes" and "Comus" place John Milton (British, 1608 - 1674) as England’s greatest poet. "Paradise Regained" was first published in 1671. Composed in four books, it acts as an important sequel to Paradise Lost, published four years earlier. Paradise was lost in the initial poem by the yielding of Adam and Eve to Satan’s temptations. Paradise is regained in the latter poem by the resistance of the Son of God to Satan’s arguments and temptations. "Paradise Regained: The Fall of Satan" illustrates the final scene and temptation of this epic poem. Satan delivers Christ back to the wilderness and carries him to the highest pinnacle. John Milton writes, "There, on the highest pinnacle, he set. The Son of God, and added thus, in scorn. There stand, if thou wilt stand; to stand upright Will ask thee skill: I to thy Father’s house Have brought thee, and highest placed, highest is best: Now, show thy progeny; if not to stand, Cast thyself down, safely, if Son of God: For it is written, He will give command Concerning thee to his angels, in their hands They shall uplift thee, lest at any time Thou chance to dash thy foot against a stone. To whom thus Jesus. Also it is written, Tempt not the Lord thy God: he said, and stood. But Satan, smitten with amazement, fell." * John Milton This original engraving illustrates lines 560 - 562 which appear above in italics. "Paradise Regained" ends with angels softly carrying Jesus to “a flowery valley”.
Size:	10 1/4 X 6 1/4 (Sizes in inches are approximate, height preceding width of plate-mark or image.)
	Matted with 100% Archival Materials
Buy Now	Price: $1,200.00 US
Condition:	Printed upon thick Whatman wove paper and with large, full margins as published by John and Josiah Boydell in Pall Mall in 1795. It contains the engraver's name, "B. Smith Sculpt.", the designer's name, "R. Westall, R. A. delt.", title, "Paradise Regain'd. B. 4. L. 560.", which stands for (Book Four. Line 560 of Milton's Paradise Regained), and the publisher's details "Publish'd June 4, 1795 by J. & J. Boydell & G. Nicol, Shakspeare Gallery, Pall Mall; & No. 90, Cheapside." printed below the image.Containing very slight foxing in the outer margins else a rich, early impression and in excellent condition throughout. "Paradise Regained: The Fall of Satan" represents a superb, original example of late eighteenth century British art.
Subject:	Benjamin Smith, Richard Westall, John Boydell, "Paradise Regained: The Fall of Satan", original stipple engraving, John Milton, Henry Fuseli and William Blake, the final scene and temptation.
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Original Stipple Engraving by the British artist, Benjamin Smith designed by Richard Westall, First Edition.

Paradise Regained The Fall of Satan Original Stipple Engraving by the British artist Benjamin Smith designed by Richard Westall for John Boydell's set The Poetical Works of John Milton

Paradise Regained: The Fall of Satan (Poetical Works of John Milton)

View other original engravings by Benjamin Smith.

Benjamin Smith (London, 1754 - 1833)
#	Image	Title & Artists	Medium	Date	Engraver	Designer	Source	-
01.-		His most Gracious Majesty King George the Third by Benjamin Smith designed by Sir William Beechey	Original Stipple Engraving	1804	Benjamin Smith	Sir William Beechey	Shakspeare Gallery
02-		John Milton: On the Death of a Fair Infant by Benjamin Smith designed by Richard Westall	Original Stipple Engraving (First Edition Impression)	1797	Benjamin Smith	Richard Westall	The Poetical Works of John Milton
03.-		King Richard The Second. Act IV, Scene I. King Richard, Bolingbroke, York, Aumerle, etc. by Benjamin Smith designed by Mather Brown	Original Stipple Engraving (Artist Proof Impression)	c. 1795	Benjamin Smith	Mather Brown	Shakspeare Gallery	Sold
04.-		Lycidas: A Poem by John Milton engraved by Benjamin Smith designed by Richard Westall	Original Stipple Engraving (First Edition Impression)	1797	Benjamin Smith	Richard Westall	The Poetical Works of John Milton
05.-		Shakspeare seated between the Dramatick Muse and the Genius of Painting. The alto relievo in the front of the Shakspeare Gallery, Pall Mall by Benjamin Smith designed by Thomas Banks	Original Stipple Engraving (First Edition Impression)	1796	Benjamin Smith	Thomas Banks	Shakspeare Gallery
06.-		Shakspeare Nursed by Tragedy And Comedy by Benjamin Smith designed by George Romney	Original Stipple Engraving (First Edition Impression)	1803	Benjamin Smith	George Romney	Shakspeare Gallery
07.-		Paradise Lost: Adam and Eve Banished from Paradise by Benjamin Smith designed by Richard Westall	Original Stipple Engraving (First Edition Impression)	1795	Benjamin Smith	Richard Westall	The Poetical Works of John Milton
08.-		Paradise Regained: The Fall of Satan by Benjamin Smith designed by Richard Westall	Original Stipple Engraving (First Edition Impression)	1795	Benjamin Smith	Richard Westall	The Poetical Works of John Milton
09.-		The Infant Shakspeare. Attended by Nature and the Passions by Benjamin Smith designed by George Romney	Original Line and Stipple Engraving (Spooner Edition)	1799 (1852 Edition)	Benjamin Smith	George Romney	Shakspeare Gallery	Sold
10.-		The Tempest. Act I, Scene I. The Enchanted Island: Before the Cell of Prospero. Prospero and Miranda. by Benjamin Smith designed by George Romney	Original Line and Stipple Engraving (First Edition Impression)	1797	Benjamin Smith	George Romney	Shakspeare Gallery

View other original engravings published by John and Josiah Boydell for "The Poetical Works of John Milton".

The Poetical Works of John Milton
Designed by Richard Westall
#	Image	Title & Engraver	Engraver Info	Medium	Date	-
01.-		Comus: Sabrina Releasing the Lady from her Spell by John Ogborne	John Ogborne (Chelmsford, 1755 - London, 1837)	Original Stipple Engraving 'First Edition Impression	1797	Available
02.-	-	Comus: The Forest Scene by Benjamin Smith	Benjamin Smith (London, 1754 - 1833)	Original Stipple Engraving 'First Edition Impression	1797	--
03.-	-	Comus: The Temptation Scene by Benjamin Smith	Benjamin Smith (London, 1754 - 1833) & Benjamin Duterrau (1767 - 1851)	Original Stipple Engraving 'First Edition Impression	1797	--
04.-	-	Elegia Quinta by Thomas Kirk	Thomas Kirk (London, Died, 1797)	Original Stipple Engraving 'First Edition Impression	1797	--
05.-		Hymn to the Nativity by Jean Pierre Simon	Jean Pierre Simon, 'John Peter Simon' (London, 1750 - Paris, c. 1810)	Original Stipple Engraving 'First Edition Impression	1797	Available
06.-	-	Il Penseroso by John Ogborne	John Ogborne (Chelmsford, 1755 - London, 1837)	Original Stipple Engraving 'First Edition Impression	1797	--
07.-		On the Death of a Fair Infant by Benjamin Smith	Benjamin Smith (London, 1754 - 1833)	Original Stipple Engraving 'First Edition Impression	1794	Available
08.-	-	L'Allegro by Thomas Kirk	Thomas Kirk (London, Died, 1797)	Original Stipple Engraving 'First Edition Impression	1797	--
09.-		Lycidas (A poem by John Milton), by Benjamin Smith	Benjamin Smith (London, 1754 - 1833)	Original Stipple Engraving 'First Edition Impression	1797	Available
10.-	-	Milton and his two Daughters by Benjamin Smith	Benjamin Smith (London, 1754 - 1833)	Original Stipple Engraving 'First Edition Impression	1797	--
11.-		Paradise Lost: Adam and Eve Banished from Paradise by Benjamin Smith	Benjamin Smith (London, 1754 - 1833)	Original Stipple Engraving 'First Edition Impression	1795	Available
12.-		Paradise Lost: Adam Awakening Eve by Richard Earlom	Richard Earlom (London, 1743 - 1822)	Original Stipple Engraving 'First Edition Impression	1794	Sold
13.-		Paradise Lost: Death Leaving the Gates of Hell for the World of Man by John Ogborne	John Ogborne (Chelmsford, 1755 - London, 1837)	Original Stipple Engraving 'First Edition Impression	1795	Available
14.-		Paradise Lost: Eve in the Garden of Eden by Richard Earlom	Richard Earlom (London, 1743 - 1822)	Original Stipple Engraving 'First Edition Impression	1795	Sold
15.-		Paradise Lost: Messiah Routs Satan and his Angels by Luigi Schiavonetti	Luigi Schiavonetti (Bassano, Italy, 1765 - London, 1810)	Original Stipple Engraving 'First Edition Impression	1794	Sold
16.-		Paradise Lost: Satan Alarmed by Jean Pierre Simon	Jean Pierre Simon, 'John Peter Simon' (London, 1750 - Paris, c. 1810)	Original Stipple Engraving 'First Edition Impression	1794	Available
17.-	-	Paradise Lost: Satan at the Gates of Hell by Jean Pierre Simon	Jean Pierre Simon, 'John Peter Simon' (London, 1750 - Paris, c. 1810)	Original Stipple Engraving 'First Edition Impression	1794	--
18.-	-	Paradise Lost: Satan Awakening His Legions by Jean Pierre Simon	Jean Pierre Simon, 'John Peter Simon' (London, 1750 - Paris, c. 1810)	Original Stipple Engraving 'First Edition Impression	1794	--
19.-		Paradise Lost: The Angel Raphael Relates The Story of Creation to Adam and Eve by Thomas Kirk	Thomas Kirk (London, Died, 1797)	Original Stipple Engraving 'First Edition Impression	1795	Sold
20.-		Paradise Lost: The Temptation of Eve by Thomas Kirk	Thomas Kirk (London, Died, 1797)	Original Stipple Engraving 'First Edition Impression	1795	Sold
21.-		Paradise Regained: Christ and Satan Dispute the Value of Earthly Glory. by William Satchwell Leney	William Satchwell Leney (London, 1769 - Longue Pointe (Montreal), Canada, 1831)	Original Stipple Engraving 'First Edition Impression	1795	Available
22.-		Paradise Regained: Christ in the Wilderness by Moses Haughton Junior	Moses Haughton, Junior (Wednesbury, Staffordshire, c. 1772 - London, 1848)	Original Stipple Engraving 'First Edition Impression	1795	Available
23.-		Paradise Regained: The Fall of Satan by Benjamin Smith	Benjamin Smith (London, 1754 - 1833)	Original Stipple Engraving 'First Edition Impression	1795	Available

Portraits of John Milton (England, 1608 - 1674)
#	Image	Title & Artist	Artist Info	Medium	Publisher	Date	-
01.-		John Milton, Age 21 by William Nelson Gardiner	William Nelson Gardiner (Dublin, 1766 - London, 1814)	Original Stipple Engraving and Etching	John and Josiah Boydell & George Nicol, London	1794	Sold
02.-		John Milton, Age 62 by William Nelson Gardiner	William Nelson Gardiner (Dublin, 1766 - London, 1814)	Original Stipple Engraving and Etching	John and Josiah Boydell & George Nicol, London	1794
03.-		Portrait of John Milton as a Child by Giovanni Battista Cipriani	Giovanni Battista Cipriani (Florence, Italy, 1727 - London (Hammersmith), 1785)	Original Etching	Thomas Hollis (J. & J. Boydell & G. Nicol Edition, 1794)	1760
04.-		Portrait of John Milton as a Young Man by Giovanni Battista Cipriani	Giovanni Battista Cipriani (Florence, Italy, 1727 - London (Hammersmith), 1785)	Original Etching	Thomas Hollis (J. & J. Boydell & G. Nicol Edition, 1794)	1760
05.-		Portrait of John Milton in Old Age by Giovanni Battista Cipriani	Giovanni Battista Cipriani (Florence, Italy, 1727 - London (Hammersmith), 1785)	Original Etching	Thomas Hollis (J. & J. Boydell & G. Nicol Edition, 1794)	1760
06.-		Portion of a Shield (John Milton dictating his epic poem, "Paradise Lost", to his daughter.) by John Alfred Vinter	John Alfred Vinter (London, 1828 - 1905)	Original Lithograph	Day & Son, London	1852

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