William Shakespeare

© National Portrait Gallery, London

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William Shakespeare

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)
9 in. x 6 1/8 in. (230 mm x 154 mm) plate size; 17 3/8 in. x 11 3/4 in. (442 mm x 298 mm) paper size
Given by Miss Flick, 1973
Reference Collection
NPG D41657

Sitterback to top

Artistsback to top

  • John Britton (1771-1857), Antiquary and topographer. Artist or producer associated with 6 portraits, Sitter in 3 portraits.
  • George Bullock (1782 or 1783-1818), Sculptor and cabinet-maker. Artist or producer associated with 5 portraits.
  • Gerard Johnson (active 1616-1623), Sculptor. Artist or producer associated with 13 portraits.
  • Lahee & Co (active 1810-1852), Printers. Artist or producer associated with 17 portraits.
  • Thomas Phillips (1770-1845), Portrait painter. Artist or producer associated with 218 portraits, Sitter in 4 portraits.
  • William Ward (1766-1826), Engraver; father of William James Ward. Artist or producer associated with 170 portraits.

Related worksback to top

  • NPG 1735: William Shakespeare (based on same portrait)
  • NPG 185a: 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 D41658: William Shakespeare (based on same portrait)
  • NPG D41659: William Shakespeare (based on same portrait)
  • NPG L269.B5.01: Monument to William Shakespeare in Holy Trinity Church, Stratford-upon-Avon ()

Placesback to top

Subjects & Themesback to top

Events of 1816back to top

Current affairs

Marriage of Princess Charlotte to Leopold I.
Income Tax abolished.
Unsuccessful Spa Fields Riot led by the ultra-radical Arthur Thistlewood which aimed to attack the Tower of London and the Bank of England and set up a ruling 'Committee of Public Safety' following the French model.

Art and science

Jane Austen publishes Emma.
Leeds and Liverpool Canal completed.

International

British Government buys the Elgin Marbles, taken from the Acropolis in Athens by Thomas Bruce, 7th Earl of Elgin, and brought to England between 1803 and 1812. Their acquisition prompts support from Thomas Lawrence and Benjamin Robert Haydon and condemnation from Lord Byron.
Slave rebellion fails in Barbados; four hundred slaves are executed.

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