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William Shakespeare

12 of 27 portraits by James Faed the Elder

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William Shakespeare

by James Faed the Elder, published by Henry Graves & Co, after John Faed
mezzotint, published 1859
25 3/4 in. x 19 in. (654 mm x 483 mm) plate size; 26 5/8 in. x 19 5/8 in. (677 mm x 497 mm) paper size
Purchased with help from the Friends of the National Libraries and the Pilgrim Trust, 1966
Reference Collection
NPG D41648

Sitterback to top

Artistsback to top

  • James Faed the Elder (1821-1911), Engraver and painter. Artist or producer associated with 27 portraits.
  • John Faed (1819-1902), Painter. Artist or producer associated with 8 portraits.
  • Henry Graves & Co (active 1844-1899), Publishers. Artist or producer associated with 255 portraits.

Related worksback to top

  • NPG Ax39783: William Shakespeare (based on same portrait)
  • NPG D41647: William Shakespeare (based on same portrait)

Placesback to top

Portrait setback to top

Subjects & Themesback to top

Events of 1859back to top

Current affairs

Formation of the first Liberal cabinet, following the dissolution of Parliament in light of the Liberal and opposition member Lord Russell's introduction of a resolution arguing for widening the franchise, carried because the Conservatives, the ruling party, only have a minority. Palmerston holds a meeting of Whigs, Peelites and Radicals, from which the Liberal Party is formed, and the Queen later invites him to become Prime Minister.

Art and science

Charles Darwin's The Origin of the Species is published, in which he sets out his theory of evolution based on the process of natural selection, species mutation, and survival of the fittest.
The engineer Joseph Bazalgette begins work on constructing the London sewerage system, following the 'Big Stink' of the preceding summer. Bazalgette's system, now extended, continues to serve London.

International

Outbreak of war between an alliance of France and Italian nationalists, and Austria. Napoleon III signs an armistice with Austria. However, pressure from Britain, supporting Italian unification to counterweight French and Austrian influence, leads to success for Italian nationalists.
The first oil well is drilled in America, after Edwin Drake's discovery in Titusville, Pennsylvania, transforming a quiet farming region into Oil Creek.

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