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William Shakespeare

(1564-1616), Dramatist and poet

Sitter associated with 107 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.

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

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William Shakespeare, associated with John Taylor - NPG 1

William Shakespeare

associated with John Taylor
oil on canvas, feigned oval, circa 1610
On display in Room 3 on Floor 3 at the National Portrait Gallery
NPG 1

William Shakespeare, after Gerard Johnson - NPG 1281

William Shakespeare

after Gerard Johnson
coloured plaster cast, 1846, based on a work of circa 1620
NPG 1281

William Shakespeare, after Gerard Johnson - NPG 1735

William Shakespeare

after Gerard Johnson
plaster cast, early 20th century, from a mid 19th century mould of a work of circa 1620
NPG 1735

William Shakespeare, after Gerard Johnson - NPG 185a

William Shakespeare

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

William Shakespeare, by Martin Droeshout - NPG 185

William Shakespeare

by Martin Droeshout
engraving, 1632 or 1663-1664
NPG 185

Monument to William Shakespeare in Holy Trinity Church, Stratford-upon-Avon, by George Vertue, after Gerard Johnson - NPG L269.B5.01

Monument to William Shakespeare in Holy Trinity Church, Stratford-upon-Avon

by George Vertue, after Gerard Johnson
line engraving, circa 1700-1750 (circa 1620)
On display in Room 11 on Floor 3 at the National Portrait Gallery
NPG L269.B5.01

William Shakespeare, after William Marshall, after Martin Droeshout - NPG L269.B5.02

William Shakespeare

after William Marshall, after Martin Droeshout
engraving, circa 1800
On display in Room 11 on Floor 3 at the National Portrait Gallery
NPG L269.B5.02

Funerary monument to William Shakespeare by Gerard Johnson, by Francis Bedford - NPG x197552

Funerary monument to William Shakespeare by Gerard Johnson

by Francis Bedford
albumen carte-de-visite, 1860s
NPG x197552

William Shakespeare, after John Faed - NPG Ax39783

William Shakespeare

after John Faed
albumen carte-de-visite, 1864 or before
NPG Ax39783

William Shakespeare, after a painting attributed to John Taylor - NPG D41643

William Shakespeare

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 - NPG D4207

Unknown gentleman, possibly Sir Thomas Overbury, previously known as William Shakespeare

by Richard Earlom, after Unknown Anglo-Netherlandish artist
mezzotint, (circa 1610)
NPG D4207

William Shakespeare, after Gerard Johnson - NPG D41659

William Shakespeare

after Gerard Johnson
stipple engraving, (circa 1620)
NPG D41659

William Shakespeare, after Gerard Johnson - NPG D41660

William Shakespeare

after Gerard Johnson
hand-coloured lithograph, (circa 1620)
NPG D41660

William Shakespeare, after Gerard Johnson - NPG D18888

William Shakespeare

after Gerard Johnson
mezzotint, (circa 1620)
NPG D18888

William Shakespeare, by Unknown artist, after Martin Droeshout - NPG D40738

William Shakespeare

by Unknown artist, after Martin Droeshout
lithograph, (1623)
NPG D40738

William Shakespeare, by Martin Droeshout, printed by Thomas Cotes, printed for Robert Allot - NPG D16530

William Shakespeare

by Martin Droeshout, printed by Thomas Cotes, printed for Robert Allot
line engraving, 1632
NPG D16530

William Shakespeare, by Martin Droeshout - NPG D27947

William Shakespeare

by Martin Droeshout
line engraving, 1685
NPG D27947

William Shakespeare, by John Simon, after Gilbert Soest - NPG D27948

William Shakespeare

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 - NPG D21013

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

William Shakespeare, after Unknown artist - NPG D5944

William Shakespeare

after Unknown artist
stipple and line engraving, mid-late 18th century
NPG D5944

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