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Henry Wriothesley, 3rd Earl of Southampton (1573-1624), Patron of Shakespeare

Sitter associated with 11 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. Southampton was known at court for his flamboyant appearance, particularly his auburn hair which he wore long.

List Thumbnail

L114

Henry Wriothesley, 3rd Earl of Southampton

by Unknown artist
oil on canvas, circa 1600
On display in Room 2 at the National Portrait Gallery
NPG L114

52

Henry Wriothesley, 3rd Earl of Southampton

after Daniel Mytens
oil on canvas, feigned oval, circa 1618
On display at Victoria and Albert Museum, London
NPG 52

D25777

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

D21241

Henry Wriothesley, 3rd Earl of Southampton

by Simon de Passe
etching, 1617
NPG D21241

D24828

Henry Wriothesley, 3rd Earl of Southampton

by Robert Cooper
stipple engraving, possibly early 19th century
NPG D24828

D25814

Henry Wriothesley, 3rd Earl of Southampton

after Unknown artist
stipple engraving, possibly early 19th century
NPG D25814

D25809

Henry Wriothesley, 3rd Earl of Southampton

published by William Richardson
line engraving, published 1 July 1804
NPG D25809

D17116

Henry Wriothesley, 3rd Earl of Southampton

by Henry Bone, after Michiel Jansz. van Mierevelt
pencil drawing squared in ink for transfer, December 1813
NPG D17116

D25807

Henry Wriothesley, 3rd Earl of Southampton

by Robert Dunkarton, published by and after George Perfect Harding
mezzotint, published 2 May 1814
NPG D25807

D25808

Henry Wriothesley, 3rd Earl of Southampton

by Robert Dunkarton, after George Perfect Harding
mezzotint, published 1814
NPG D25808

D41833

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

Category
Literature, Journalism and Publishing
Social Welfare and Reform
Place
Hampshire