Imogen (Shakespeare, Cymbeline, Act 3, Scene 6) 1803

This print of Imogen, from Shakespeare’s Cymbeline, was made by Thomas Gaugain using the technique of stipple engraving. This process, which involves creating a pattern of tiny dots on a metal plate, allows for soft gradations of tone, perfect for capturing the dramatic lighting of this scene. Look closely, and you can see how the texture of the print itself, achieved through painstaking labor, almost seems to mimic the rough, uneven surface of the cave. The image’s emotional impact hinges on this contrast: the vulnerability of Imogen, set against a threatening backdrop. Gaugain was working at a time when printmaking was becoming increasingly industrialized. His skilled handwork, while still tied to older craft traditions, was also part of a burgeoning market for affordable art, bringing Shakespeare's stories to a wider audience. This print reminds us that even seemingly mass-produced images are rooted in specific materials, techniques, and social contexts.