William Shakespeare
(1564-1616), Dramatist and poetSitter 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.
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after Unknown English artist
photograph, (circa 1820-1840)
NPG D41640
by James Heath, published by Jones & Co, probably after John Taylor
stipple engraving, published 1822
NPG D4071
Unknown gentleman, possibly Sir Thomas Overbury, previously known as William Shakespeare
by Robert Cooper, published by Sherwood, Jones & Co, after Richard Earlom, after Unknown Anglo-Netherlandish artist
mezzotint, published June 1825
NPG D41649
by Charles Turner
mezzotint, circa 1825-1850
NPG D18898
William Shakespeare with Lucretia and Collatinus
by Richard Sawyer, after William Faithorne
line engraving, published 1827 (1655)
NPG D22940
by Benjamin Holl, published by Abraham Wivell, after Laurence Hilliard
stipple engraving, published 1827 (circa 1620)
NPG D25481
Unknown man, possibly a poet, formerly known as William Shakespeare
by William Holl Sr, published by Abraham Wivell
line engraving, published 1827 (circa 1600)
NPG D25482
by William Holl Sr, published by and after Abraham Wivell
stipple engraving, published 1827
NPG D41650
William Shakespeare's interview with Queen Elizabeth I
by William Ensom, after Thomas Stothard
etching and line engraving, 1828
NPG D41664
published by T.H. Ellis, after John Taylor
line and stipple engraving, mid 19th century (circa 1610)
NPG D40744
Unknown gentleman, possibly Sir Thomas Overbury, previously known as William Shakespeare
published by Richard Griffin & Co, after Unknown Anglo-Netherlandish artist
line engraving, mid 19th century (circa 1610)
NPG D41653
by G.F. Storm
mezzotint, mid 19th century
NPG D19795
William Shakespeare before Sir Thomas Lucy for Shooting his Deer
by James Egan, after Alexander Chisholm
mezzotint, (exhibited 1834)
NPG D41662
by T.W. Harland, after Laurence Hilliard
stipple engraving, 1840 (circa 1620)
NPG D25483
by Benjamin Holl, published by George Virtue, after Jacobus Houbraken
stipple engraving, published 1840
NPG D32618
by Samuel Cousins, after a painting attributed to John Taylor
mezzotint, published June 1849 (circa 1610)
NPG D40739
by Richard Austin Artlett, after a painting attributed to John Taylor
line and stipple engraving, circa 1850-1873 (circa 1610)
NPG D40740
published by W.N. Wright, after a painting attributed to Richard Burbage (Burbadge)
lithograph, published 4 June 1851
NPG D41641
by Richard James Lane, after Thomas Baxter
lithograph, 1853
NPG D21778
by Richard James Lane, printed by M & N Hanhart, after Thomas Baxter
lithograph, published February 1853
NPG D21779
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