Boydell's Illustrations of Shakespeare, Vol. II: Romeo and Juliet, Act I, Scene V (after W. Miller)

Both the Facius brothers and William Miller were employed extensively by John Boydell (1720–1804) for Boydell’s Illustrations of Shakespeare, the publishing venture spun off from the Shakespeare Gallery. This exhibition of paintings by Britain’s leading artists, illustrating the dramas of Britain’s greatest playwright, ran from 1789 to 1805 in a dedicated building on London’s Pall Mall. A total of 167 engravings would be made for Boydell’s printed Shakespeare set, including five plates dedicated to the tragedy Romeo and Juliet, one for each act. In this early scene, “maskers” and guests mingle in the opulence of the Capulets’ house, while Romeo makes his advance to Juliet. As he takes her hand, Romeo declares:

“If I profane with my unworthiest hand / This holy shrine, the gentle fine is this, - /My lips two blushing pilgrims, ready stand / To smooth that rough touch with a tender kiss.”

Tybalt’s ominous presence at right may be seen as foreshadowing the drama’s tragic end.