5 OF 5 
Queen Elizabeth II; William Shakespeare (on verso)
5 of 5 portraits by William Kent
Art Fund Popular Portraits Collection. Photo: © National Portrait Gallery, London
Share this
Queen Elizabeth II; William Shakespeare (on verso)
after Harry Norman Eccleston, after William Kent
steel engraved currency note, 1970-1991
3 1/2 in. x 6 3/8 in. (90 mm x 161 mm) paper size
Purchased with help from the Art Fund, 2019
Reference Collection
NPG D48662
Sittersback to top
- Queen Elizabeth II (1926-2022), Reigned 1952-2022. Sitter associated with 972 portraits.
- William Shakespeare (1564-1616), Dramatist and poet. Sitter associated with 107 portraits.
Artistsback to top
- Harry Norman Eccleston (1923-2010), Artist and engraver. Artist or producer associated with 1 portrait.
- William Kent (1685?-1748), Architect, painter and landscape gardener. Artist or producer associated with 5 portraits, Sitter associated with 8 portraits.
This portraitback to top
Shakespeare was the first historical figure other than the monarch to appear on a British bank note, reflecting his status as a figurehead who was visually synonymous with the nation. The image used on the note was based on his memorial sculpture at Westminster Abbey. This £20 note was first issued in 1970 and was legal tender until 1993.
Subjects & Themesback to top
Events of 1970back to top
Current affairs
Edward 'Ted' Heath wins a surprise victory for the Conservative party at the general election, becoming Prime Minister. Opinion polls had predicted a comfortable Labour victory, but with a failing economy, the Tories snatched a narrow last minute majority.Art and science
Germaine Greer publishes The Female Eunuch, an influential feminist text arguing that women's sexuality and capacity for action are repressed by the family and their roles in society. Greer suggested that women should get to know their bodies and become empowered by their sexuality. The book was an international best seller.International
Four aircraft are hijacked by Palestinian terrorists. The planes were landed in Cairo, Jordan and London and the hijackers demanded the release of Political Prisoners in exchange for the hostages. Several prisoners were returned and three of the planes were blown up after most of the hostages were release.Four students are shot dead by national guardsmen during a protest against the Vietnam War in America.
Comments back to top
We are currently unable to accept new comments, but any past comments are available to read below.
If you need information from us, please use our Archive enquiry service . Please note that we cannot provide valuations. You can buy a print or greeting card of most illustrated portraits. Select the portrait of interest to you, then look out for a Buy a Print button. Prices start at around £6 for unframed prints, £16 for framed prints. If you wish to license an image, select the portrait of interest to you, then look out for a Use this image button, or contact our Rights and Images service. We digitise over 8,000 portraits a year and we cannot guarantee being able to digitise images that are not already scheduled.
