William Shakespeare
1 portrait of William Shakespeare
© National Portrait Gallery, London
William Shakespeare
by George Vertue
line engraving, 1719
13 5/8 in. x 9 1/4 in. (347 mm x 235 mm) plate size
Given by the daughter of compiler William Fleming MD, Mary Elizabeth Stopford (née Fleming), 1931
Reference Collection
NPG D25489
Sitterback to top
- William Shakespeare (1564-1616), Dramatist and poet. Sitter associated with 107 portraits.
Artistback to top
- George Vertue (1683-1756), Engraver and antiquary. Artist or producer associated with 865 portraits, Sitter in 7 portraits.
Related worksback to top
- NPG D25488: William Shakespeare (from same plate)
- NPG D11109: William Shakespeare (from same plate)
- NPG D41637: William Shakespeare (from same plate)
Events of 1719back to top
Current affairs
Spanish invasion of Scotland fails. British forces defeat an alliance of Jacobite and Spanish forces led by George Keith, 10th Earl Marischal, amongst others, at the Battle of Glen Shiel.South Sea Company proposes a scheme under which it will buy more than half of Britain's national debt in exchange for trading concessions.
Art and science
Pugilist James Figg claims to be the first English bare-knuckle boxing champion; a title he will hold until the 1730s.Eliza Haywood launches her writing career with the best-selling novel Love in Excess, recounting the amorous escapades of the rake Count D'Elmont.
Daniel Defoe publishes his novel Robinson Crusoe.
International
War of the Quadruple Alliance: French army under James FitzJames, 1st Duke of Berwick invades the Basque provinces of Spain but suffers heavy losses due to disease. George Byng, 1st Viscount Torrington assists in the taking of Messina and destroys the remaining Spanish fleet.Prussia conducts Europe's first systematic census.
Principality of Liechtenstein is created within the Holy Roman Empire.
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