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William Shakespeare

(1564-1616), Dramatist and poet

Sitter associated with 107 portraits
The most celebrated English playwright and poet, Shakespeare is held as one of the greatest writers of all time. Born in Stratford-upon-Avon, he spent most of his working life in London, first as an actor, then a playwright. Whereas many poets of the time were wealthy amateurs, dramatists were usually professionals whose income came from supplying plays to the public theatres and court. The texts of plays belonged to the theatres and were seen as ephemeral, soon to be replaced. The publication of Ben Jonson's Workes in 1616, and in 1623 his own Mr. William Shakespeare's Comedies, Histories, Tragedies (the 'First Folio'), were milestones in the recognition of plays as lasting, influential works of literature.

Explore the Shakespeare Duck portrait (NPG D48052) from all angles | the Lego Shakespeare portrait (NPG D48054) from all angles | the Derby Porcelain Factory Shakespeare portrait (NPG D48654) from all angles | the William Shakespeare portrait bust (NPG D48655) from all angles

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William Shakespeare, by Sir George Scharf, after a painting attributed to  John Taylor - NPG D40741

William Shakespeare

by Sir George Scharf, after a painting attributed to John Taylor
lithograph, circa 1856 (circa 1610)
NPG D40741

William Shakespeare, by James Faed the Elder, published by  Henry Graves & Co, after  John Faed - NPG D41647

William Shakespeare

by James Faed the Elder, published by Henry Graves & Co, after John Faed
mezzotint, published 20 June 1859
NPG D41647

William Shakespeare, by James Faed the Elder, published by  Henry Graves & Co, after  John Faed - NPG D41648

William Shakespeare

by James Faed the Elder, published by Henry Graves & Co, after John Faed
mezzotint, published 1859
NPG D41648

William Shakespeare, by Unknown artist - NPG D48655

William Shakespeare

by Unknown artist
Staffordshire pottery bust, circa 1860s
On display in Room 13 on Floor 3 at the National Portrait Gallery
NPG D48655

William Shakespeare and Muse, by Charles Henry Jeens, published by  Henry Graves & Co, after  Edward William John Hopley - NPG D41663

William Shakespeare and Muse

by Charles Henry Jeens, published by Henry Graves & Co, after Edward William John Hopley
stipple and line engraving, published 15 August 1861
NPG D41663

William Shakespeare, by and published by Day & Son, after  Martin Droeshout - NPG D40736

William Shakespeare

by and published by Day & Son, after Martin Droeshout
lithograph, published 9 April 1864 (1623)
NPG D40736

Shakespeare und die englische Literatur 1564-1864 (includes William Shakespeare and 87 other sitters), published by Friedrich Bruckmann, after  Wilhelm Lindenschmit the Younger - NPG D46392

Shakespeare und die englische Literatur 1564-1864 (includes William Shakespeare and 87 other sitters)

published by Friedrich Bruckmann, after Wilhelm Lindenschmit the Younger
photographic print, 1864 or after
NPG D46392

William Shakespeare, by Sir George Scharf, after  Unknown artist - NPG D41915

William Shakespeare

by Sir George Scharf, after Unknown artist
pencil, 29 April 1871
NPG D41915

William Shakespeare, by Charles William Sherborn - NPG D21186

William Shakespeare

by Charles William Sherborn
line engraving, 1876
NPG D21186

William Shakespeare ('Gower Memorial'), by Douglas James McNeille, after  Lord Ronald Charles Sutherland-Leveson-Gower - NPG D41661

William Shakespeare ('Gower Memorial')

by Douglas James McNeille, after Lord Ronald Charles Sutherland-Leveson-Gower
albumen print, (1888)
NPG D41661

William Shakespeare, after Unknown sculptor, after  Gerard Johnson - NPG D42285

William Shakespeare

after Unknown sculptor, after Gerard Johnson
photographic print, early 20th century
NPG D42285

William Shakespeare, published by The Teacher's World, after a portrait associated with  John Taylor - NPG D48663

William Shakespeare

published by The Teacher's World, after a portrait associated with John Taylor
relief halftone, published 11 April 1917
NPG D48663

William Shakespeare, issued by Sarony & Co, after  John Taylor - NPG D48918

William Shakespeare

issued by Sarony & Co, after John Taylor
gravure cigarette card, 1923 (circa 1600-1610)
NPG D48918

Queen Elizabeth II; William Shakespeare (on verso), after Harry Norman Eccleston, after  William Kent - NPG D48662

Queen Elizabeth II; William Shakespeare (on verso)

after Harry Norman Eccleston, after William Kent
steel engraved currency note, 1970-1991
NPG D48662

William Shakespeare ('William Shakespeare Lego Minifigure'), by Unknown artist - NPG D48054

William Shakespeare ('William Shakespeare Lego Minifigure')

by Unknown artist
moulded plastic Lego figure, 2014
NPG D48054

William Shakespeare ('Shakespeare Duck'), by Unknown artist - NPG D48052

William Shakespeare ('Shakespeare Duck')

by Unknown artist
moulded plastic, 2018
NPG D48052

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