William Shakespeare
9 of 229 portraits matching these criteria:
- subject matching 'Plaster'







© National Portrait Gallery, London
- Buy a print
- Use this image
- Share this
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
12 in. (305 mm) high
Given by Albert Way, 1874
Primary Collection
NPG 185a
Sitterback to top
- William Shakespeare (1564-1616), Dramatist and poet. Sitter associated with 105 portraits.
Related worksback to top
- NPG 1735: William Shakespeare (based on same portrait)
- NPG D18888: William Shakespeare (based on same portrait)
- NPG D21013: Monument to William Shakespeare in Holy Trinity Church, Stratford-upon-Avon (based on same portrait)
- NPG D41657: William Shakespeare (based on same portrait)
- NPG D41658: William Shakespeare (based on same portrait)
- NPG D41659: William Shakespeare (based on same portrait)
Linked publicationsback to top
- Saywell, David; Simon, Jacob, Complete Illustrated Catalogue, 2004, p. 558
- Strong, Roy, Tudor and Jacobean Portraits, 1969, p. 284
Events of 1620back to top
Current affairs
The beginning of a severe economic depression in England is widely blamed on the East India Company whose export of bullion on each voyage financed their trade. Additionally, despite efforts by Lionel Cranfield, Earl of Middlesex, to reduce the royal household's expenditure, James I's debt is historically high.Art and science
Francis Bacon publishes his major philosophical work Novum Organum, which presents his account of the correct method of acquiring natural knowledge using inductive reasoning.Inventor and mechanical engineer, Cornelis Drebbel builds an early type of submarine which he demonstrates on the Thames.
International
The Catholic League's invasion of Bohemia and victory at the battle of the White Mountain, forces Frederick V, king of Bohemia and his family into exile in the Hague, after less than a year reigning.The Pilgrim Fathers sail for America in the 'Mayflower', escaping religious persecution in England.
Tell us more back to top
Can you tell us more about this portrait? 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 this 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.
Related pages
- Searching for Shakespeare
- Making History: Printed Portraiture in Tudor and Stuart Britain
- Shakespeare quiz
- Gallery history
- Searching for Shakespeare
- William Shakespeare
- Director's Trail by Nicholas Cullinan
- In Character: Shakespeare's plays
- NPG D48052 in 360°
- NPG D48054 in 360°
- NPG D48654 in 360°
- NPG D48655 in 360°
- Tudor and Elizabethan matching pairs
Thematic collections
Tell us more
Join & Support
Framed & unframed prints
Choose your favourite portrait from our Collection as a framed or unframed print for your home.