Michael Drayton
(1563-1631), PoetSitter associated with 10 portraits
Drayton was a versatile poet working in the tradition of Edmund Spenser. Like Shakespeare, Drayton came from relatively humble origins in Warwickshire, where his father may have been a butcher or a tanner. At the time this portrait was painted Drayton was a respected published poet and London gentleman. Around this time he also began to write plays frequently in collaboration with other playwrights.
More on Michael Drayton: Tudor & Jacobean Portraits book in our Shops | Shakespeare and his contemporaries book in our Shops
by Unknown artist
oil on panel, 1599
NPG 776
by Unknown artist
watercolour, circa 1700-1750
NPG 2528
by William Hole (Holle)
line engraving, published 1619
NPG D20358
by William Marshall, published by John Smethwick
line engraving, published 1637
NPG D27970
by James Cole
line engraving, late 18th-early 19th century
NPG D27969
Memorial to Michael Drayton in Westminster Abbey
by James Cole
line engraving, late 18th-early 19th century
NPG D35392
by R. Clamp, published by E. & S. Harding
stipple engraving, published 1794
NPG D27972
published by William Richardson, after William Hole (Holle)
line engraving, published 1 September 1796
NPG D35393
published by Thomas Rodd the Elder
line engraving, published 1816
NPG D27971
by Henry Bone, after Unknown artist
pencil drawing squared in ink for transfer, June 1818
NPG D17162
Tell us more back to top
Can you tell us more about this person? Spotted an error, information that is missing (a sitter’s life dates, occupation or family relationships, or a date of portrait for example) or do you know anything that we don't know? If you have information to share please complete the form below.
If you require information from us, please use our Archive enquiry service. You can buy a print of most illustrated portraits. Select the portrait of interest to you, then look out for a Buy a Print button. Prices start at £6 for unframed prints, £25 for framed prints. If you wish to license an image, please use our Rights and Images service.
Please note that we cannot provide valuations.
We digitise over 8,000 portraits a year and we cannot guarantee being able to digitise images that are not already scheduled.
Play
Tudor and Elizabethan matching pairs
Test your memory by playing our matching pairs game. Three levels of difficulty make it fun for the whole family.
Regency familiar faces
Rearrange tiles to uncover sitters from the Gallery's Collection by playing our puzzle game.
Who do you think you were?
Answer a few lifestyle questions about the Elizabethan period and discover your inner Elizabethan!