From the Archives: William Boyce

1711-1779

Published by John Hedgley, December, 1848

This engraving by M.G. Hedgley, likely a brother of the publisher, was made after the portrait by John Keyse Sherwin (1751-1790). Sherwin [misattributed here as Sherwood] had drawn Boyce during life, and made this engraving which was published on 1 December 1788. The print was produced to accompany the second edition of Cathedral Music: being a Collection in Score of the Most Valuable and Useful Compositions for that Service, by the Several English Masters, Of the last Two Hundred Years.  The Whole Selected and Carefully Revis'd By the late Dr. William Boyce. The earlier edition had been printed in Boyce’s lifetime.

Boyce is depicted three-quarter-length, wearing a buttoned waistcoat, fur-lined jacket, stock and a wig, with pipe organ in the background. His left hand holds down music sheets, rests on a table on which is a volume titled “Dr Boyce’s C”, presumably referencing the Cathedral Music.  With a facsimile signature included below the image.

The nineteenth-century reproduction was purchased in 1849, the minutes of 4 March 1849 reading: "Mr Parry informed the board that Mr. M.G. Hedgley had engraved a portrait of Dr Boyce the Grandfather of Miss Fenn, and as that talented musician was one of the early members of this Society he thought the house Committee ought to be empowered to purchase a copy of the Portrait, the same to be framed and hung up in the Society's room. Resolved that the house committee be requested to purchase a copy of the portrait".