William Shakespeare

1 portrait of William Shakespeare

© National Portrait Gallery, London

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William Shakespeare

after Gerard Johnson
stipple engraving, (circa 1620)
14 1/8 in. x 11 1/2 in. (358 mm x 293 mm) plate size; 20 7/8 in. x 14 7/8 in. (529 mm x 379 mm) paper size
Purchased with help from the Friends of the National Libraries and the Pilgrim Trust, 1966
Reference Collection
NPG D41659

Sitterback to top

Artistback to top

  • Gerard Johnson (active 1616-1623), Sculptor. Artist or producer associated with 13 portraits.

Related worksback to top

  • NPG D41658: William Shakespeare (based on same portrait)
  • NPG D41657: William Shakespeare (based on same portrait)
  • NPG D21013: Monument to William Shakespeare in Holy Trinity Church, Stratford-upon-Avon (based on same portrait)
  • NPG 1735: William Shakespeare (based on same portrait)
  • NPG 185a: William Shakespeare (based on same portrait)
  • NPG D18888: William Shakespeare (based on same portrait)
  • NPG L269.B5.01: Monument to William Shakespeare in Holy Trinity Church, Stratford-upon-Avon ()

Events of 1620back to top

Current affairs

The beginning of a severe economic depression in England is widely blamed on the East India Company whose export of bullion on each voyage financed their trade. Additionally, despite efforts by Lionel Cranfield, Earl of Middlesex, to reduce the royal household's expenditure, James I's debt is historically high.

Art and science

Francis Bacon publishes his major philosophical work Novum Organum, which presents his account of the correct method of acquiring natural knowledge using inductive reasoning.
Inventor and mechanical engineer, Cornelis Drebbel builds an early type of submarine which he demonstrates on the Thames.

International

The Catholic League's invasion of Bohemia and victory at the battle of the White Mountain, forces Frederick V, king of Bohemia and his family into exile in the Hague, after less than a year reigning.
The Pilgrim Fathers sail for America in the 'Mayflower', escaping religious persecution in England.

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