Dumain, Biron, the King, and Longaville (Shakespeare, Love's Labour's Lost, Act 4, Scene 3) 1825 - 1840

This engraving by Charles Heath the Elder, depicting a scene from Shakespeare's "Love's Labour's Lost," is a fine example of 19th-century book illustration. Created between 1825 and 1840, the work captures the play's Act 4, Scene 3, where the King, Biron, Dumain, and Longaville are shown in a woodland setting, likely discussing the intricacies of love and courtship, themes central to the play. Heath’s detailed engraving, with its meticulous depiction of costume and setting, provides a visual interpretation of the play, engaging audiences with a familiar Shakespearean text. The engraving, now housed at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, remains a testament to the artistic talents of the era.