Infant Shakespeare Attended by Nature and the Passions 1799

Benjamin Smith created this engraving, "Infant Shakespeare Attended by Nature and the Passions," at the turn of the 19th century, a period marked by Romanticism's emphasis on emotion, individualism, and the power of nature. Here, the infant Shakespeare is surrounded by allegorical figures representing human passions. The scene, bathed in dramatic light and shadow, echoes the theatricality found in Shakespeare's plays. Smith's choice to depict Shakespeare's infancy underscores a Romantic fascination with childhood as a time of innocence and potential. Simultaneously, it elevates the playwright to mythic status. However, it is important to note that this image reinforces a cultural narrative that privileges individual genius, often overlooking the social and collaborative contexts in which art is produced. The image presents a somewhat sanitized and idealized image of Shakespeare, obscuring the complexities of both his life and the historical context in which he wrote. In viewing this print, we might contemplate how cultural icons are constructed and what aspects of their identities are highlighted or erased in the process.