William Shakespeare
(1564-1616), Dramatist and poetSitter 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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by John Goldar, probably after John Taylor
line engraving, published 1785
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by Jean Marie Delattre (Delatre)
line engraving, published 1786
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by Robert Cooper, after a painting attributed to John Taylor
stipple engraving, 1864 or before (circa 1610)
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by John Godefroy, published by William Richardson
line engraving, published 28 March 1796
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'William Shakespeare between the Dramatic Muse and the Genius of Painting'
by Benjamin Smith, published by John Boydell, published by Josiah Boydell, after Thomas Banks
stipple engraving, published 4 June 1796 (1789)
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by Unknown artist
electrotype, 19th century
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published by William Smith, after Martin Droeshout
line engraving, early 19th century
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after Unknown artist
albumen print, possibly 19th century
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by William Holl Sr, published by Vernor, Hood & Sharpe
stipple engraving, early 19th century
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by Unknown artist
stipple engraving, 19th century
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by Charles Warren
line engraving, 1806
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Memorial portrait of William Shakespeare
by Thomas Woolnoth, published by Mary Jane Godwin, after Gilbert Soest
stipple engraving, published 1 November 1809 (circa 1605-1681)
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by Robert Cooper, published by Machell Stace
stipple engraving printed in colour, published 1 January 1811
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by Robert Cooper
stipple engraving printed in colour, published 1811
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by Charles Turner, published by James Dunford
mezzotint, published 22 May 1815
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by James Godby, published and sold by Edward Orme, after Giovanni Battista Cipriani
stipple engraving, published 4 June 1815
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by William Ward, printed by Lahee & Co, published by John Britton, after Thomas Phillips, after George Bullock, after Gerard Johnson
mezzotint, published 23 April 1816 (circa 1620)
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by William Ward, printed by Lahee & Co, published by John Britton, after Thomas Phillips, after George Bullock, after Gerard Johnson
mezzotint, published 23 April 1816 (circa 1620)
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by William Ward, published by John Britton, after Thomas Phillips, after George Bullock, after Gerard Johnson
mezzotint, published 23 April 1816 (circa 1620)
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after Unknown English artist
offset lithograph, (circa 1820-1840)
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after Unknown English artist
photograph, (circa 1820-1840)
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by James Heath, published by Jones & Co, probably after John Taylor
stipple engraving, published 1822
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Unknown gentleman, possibly Sir Thomas Overbury, previously known as William Shakespeare
by Robert Cooper, published by Sherwood, Jones & Co, after Richard Earlom, after Unknown Anglo-Netherlandish artist
mezzotint, published June 1825
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by Charles Turner
mezzotint, circa 1825-1850
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William Shakespeare with Lucretia and Collatinus
by Richard Sawyer, after William Faithorne
line engraving, published 1827 (1655)
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by Benjamin Holl, published by Abraham Wivell, after Laurence Hilliard
stipple engraving, published 1827 (circa 1620)
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Unknown man, possibly a poet, formerly known as William Shakespeare
by William Holl Sr, published by Abraham Wivell
line engraving, published 1827 (circa 1600)
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by William Holl Sr, published by and after Abraham Wivell
stipple engraving, published 1827
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William Shakespeare's interview with Queen Elizabeth I
by William Ensom, after Thomas Stothard
etching and line engraving, 1828
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published by T.H. Ellis, after John Taylor
line and stipple engraving, mid 19th century (circa 1610)
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Unknown gentleman, possibly Sir Thomas Overbury, previously known as William Shakespeare
published by Richard Griffin & Co, after Unknown Anglo-Netherlandish artist
line engraving, mid 19th century (circa 1610)
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by G.F. Storm
mezzotint, mid 19th century
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William Shakespeare before Sir Thomas Lucy for Shooting his Deer
by James Egan, after Alexander Chisholm
mezzotint, (exhibited 1834)
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by T.W. Harland, after Laurence Hilliard
stipple engraving, 1840 (circa 1620)
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by Benjamin Holl, published by George Virtue, after Jacobus Houbraken
stipple engraving, published 1840
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by Samuel Cousins, after a painting attributed to John Taylor
mezzotint, published June 1849 (circa 1610)
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by Richard Austin Artlett, after a painting attributed to John Taylor
line and stipple engraving, circa 1850-1873 (circa 1610)
NPG D40740
published by W.N. Wright, after a painting attributed to Richard Burbage (Burbadge)
lithograph, published 4 June 1851
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by Richard James Lane, after Thomas Baxter
lithograph, 1853
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by Richard James Lane, printed by M & N Hanhart, after Thomas Baxter
lithograph, published February 1853
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