Henry Wriothesley, 3rd Earl of Southampton
(1573-1624), Patron of ShakespeareSitter associated with 10 portraits
A favourite of Elizabeth I, Southampton had become earl two days before his eighth birthday. A lover of literature, he is the only known patron of Shakespeare, and in 1593 Shakespeare dedicated the witty and erotic poem Venus and Adonis to him. Southampton's tempestuous relationship with the Queen culminated in his involvement in the Essex rebellion in 1601 with his close friend the Earl of Essex. He was condemned to death when the rebellion failed, but his punishment was commuted to life imprisonment and he was released by James I.
Henry Wriothesley, 3rd Earl of Southampton
after Daniel Mytens
oil on canvas, feigned oval, circa 1618
NPG 52
Henry de Vere, 18th Earl of Oxford and Henry Wriothesley, 3rd Earl of Southampton
after Unknown artist, sold by Thomas Jenner
line engraving, probably early to mid 17th century
NPG D25777
Henry Wriothesley, 3rd Earl of Southampton
by Simon de Passe
etching, 1617
NPG D21241
Henry Wriothesley, 3rd Earl of Southampton
by Robert Cooper
stipple engraving, possibly early 19th century
NPG D24828
Henry Wriothesley, 3rd Earl of Southampton
after Unknown artist
stipple engraving, possibly early 19th century
NPG D25814
Henry Wriothesley, 3rd Earl of Southampton
published by William Richardson
line engraving, published 1 July 1804
NPG D25809
Henry Wriothesley, 3rd Earl of Southampton
by Henry Bone, after Michiel Jansz. van Miereveldt
pencil drawing squared in ink for transfer, December 1813
NPG D17116
Henry Wriothesley, 3rd Earl of Southampton
by Robert Dunkarton, published by and after George Perfect Harding
mezzotint, published 2 May 1814
NPG D25807
Henry Wriothesley, 3rd Earl of Southampton
by Robert Dunkarton, after George Perfect Harding
mezzotint, published 1814
NPG D25808
Henry Wriothesley, 3rd Earl of Southampton
by Robert William Sievier, published by Lackington, Hughes, Harding, Mavor & Jones, published by Longman, Hurst, Rees, Orme & Brown, after Robert William Satchwell
stipple engraving, published 1 June 1817
NPG D41833
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