Shakespeare As you like it. Act II, scene 1 c. 18th century

Curator: Samuel Middiman, born in 1751, created this print referencing Shakespeare's "As You Like It", Act II, scene 1. Editor: It’s evocative, isn’t it? A dark forest, a rushing stream, a reclining figure… it feels like a daydream pulled from the depths of imagination. Curator: It depicts Duke Senior and his followers living in exile in the Forest of Arden, a critique of courtly life from a certain point of view. The wilderness and figures are rendered in great detail. Editor: I find it interesting how the figure seems both at peace and intensely lonely. It mirrors the conflicting emotions one feels when escaping the pressures of society. There is a certain romanticism to his seclusion. Curator: Indeed. This print, likely intended for a broader audience, transforms Shakespeare's play into a commentary on societal alienation, accessible beyond the stage. Editor: It’s fascinating how Middiman translates the theatrical into something so intimate, almost confessional. It’s a very personal reimagining.