public Shape getLegendArea() {
        return this.legendArea;   
    }
    
    /**
     * Sets the shape used as an area in each legend item and sends a 
     * {@link RendererChangeEvent} to all registered listeners.
     * 
     * @param area  the area (<code>null</code> not permitted).
     */
    public void setLegendArea(Shape area) {
        if (area == null) {
            throw new IllegalArgumentException("Null 'area' argument.");   
        }
        this.legendArea = area;
        fireChangeEvent();