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

by George Vertue, after Gerard Johnson
line engraving, circa 1700-1750 (circa 1620)
9 in. x 6 3/8 in. (228 mm x 161 mm) paper size
Reference Collection
NPG D21013

Sitterback to top

William Shakespeare (1564-1616), Dramatist and poet. Sitter associated with 105 portraits.

Artistsback to top

Gerard Johnson (active 1616-1623), Sculptor. Artist associated with 12 portraits.
George Vertue (1683-1756), Engraver and antiquary. Artist associated with 864 portraits, Sitter in 7 portraits.

Related worksback to top

NPG 1735: William Shakespeare (based on same portrait)
NPG D18888: William Shakespeare (based on same portrait)
NPG 185a: William Shakespeare (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)

Subjects & Themesback to top

Events of 1700back to top

Current affairs

The sudden death of Prince William, son of Princess Anne and George, Prince of Denmark, triggers a succession crisis. His birth had secured the succession of the crown to a Protestant, safeguarding the throne from any future claim by James II's Catholic son, James Francis.

Art and science

Dramatist, William Congreve's comedy The Way of the World premieres at Lincoln's Inn Theatre, receiving a mixed reception. It would achieve greater literary acclaim in modern times.
Poet, John Dryden, dies and is buried in Geoffrey Chaucer's grave in Westminster Abbey.

International

Diplomat and poet, Matthew Prior, secretly negotiates with Louis XIV, king of France, a second partition treaty concerning the Spanish Empire. However, following the death of Spanish ruler, Carlos II, the agreement collapses since neither Spanish or Austrian governments accept the treaty's proposals.

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