William Shakespeare
(1564-1616), Dramatist and poetSitter associated with 105 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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Explore the Shakespeare Duck portrait (NPG D48052) from all angles | the Lego Shakespeare portrait (NPG D48054) from all angles | the Derby Porcelain Factory Shakespeare portrait (NPG D48654) from all angles | the William Shakespeare portrait bust (NPG D48655) from all angles
Watch a film clip on the sitter in the Media section below
associated with John Taylor
oil on canvas, feigned oval, circa 1600-1610
NPG 1
after Gerard Johnson
coloured plaster cast, 1846, based on a work of circa 1620
NPG 1281
after Gerard Johnson
plaster cast, early 20th century, from a mid 19th century mould of a work of circa 1620
NPG 1735
after Gerard Johnson
plaster cast of copy of head of effigy at Stratford-upon-Avon, 19th century, based on a work of circa 1620
NPG 185a
by Martin Droeshout
engraving, 1632 or 1663-1664
NPG 185
Funerary monument to William Shakespeare by Gerard Johnson
by Francis Bedford
albumen carte-de-visite, 1860s
NPG x197552
after John Faed
albumen carte-de-visite, 1864 or before
NPG Ax39783
after a painting attributed to John Taylor
chromolithograph, (circa 1610)
NPG D41643
Unknown gentleman, possibly Sir Thomas Overbury, previously known as William Shakespeare
by Richard Earlom, after Unknown Anglo-Netherlandish artist
mezzotint, (circa 1610)
NPG D4207
after Gerard Johnson
stipple engraving, (circa 1620)
NPG D41659
after Gerard Johnson
hand-coloured lithograph, (circa 1620)
NPG D41660
by Unknown artist, after Martin Droeshout
lithograph, (1623)
NPG D40738
by Martin Droeshout, printed by Thomas Cotes, printed for Robert Allot
line engraving, 1632
NPG D16530
by Martin Droeshout
line engraving, 1685
NPG D27947
by John Simon, after Gilbert Soest
mezzotint, early 18th century
NPG D27948
Monument to William Shakespeare in Holy Trinity Church, Stratford-upon-Avon
by George Vertue, after Gerard Johnson
line engraving, circa 1700-1750 (circa 1620)
NPG D21013
after Unknown artist
stipple and line engraving, mid-late 18th century
NPG D5944
by Michael Vandergucht
line engraving, 1709
NPG D25484
Monument to William Shakespeare in Holy Trinity Church, Stratford-upon-Avon
after Gerard Johnson
line engraving, published 1709 (circa 1620)
NPG D21014
by and sold by George Vertue
line engraving, 1719
NPG D25488
Links
- Garrick's Temple to Shakespeare, Hampton, Middlesex
- Globe Theatre, Bankside, London
- Royal Shakespeare Theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwickshire
- Shakespeare's Birthplace Trust, Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwickshire
- The Shakespeare Society
- William Shakespeare in the Oxford Dictionary of National Biography
- William Shakespeare on the BBC: The Reith Lectures: History does not repeat itself
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- Searching for Shakespeare
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- NPG D48654 in 360°
- NPG D48655 in 360°
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- William Shakespeare
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