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William Shakespeare

1747
Not on view
Engraved by Houbraken for "Birch's Heads," this portrait shows Shakespeare wearing a simple jacket and soft white collar with open ties as in the Chandos portrait of ca. 1610 (National Portrait Gallery, London). The print elevates its subject by adding a simulated stone frame and a cluster of symbolic objects—a lyre, mask, trumpet, laurel leaves, and dagger—references to Shakespeare's accomplishments as a poet and dramatist, and to his posthumous fame.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: William Shakespeare
  • Series/Portfolio: Thomas Birch, The Heads of Illustrious Persons of Great Britain, Engraved by Mr Houbraken and by Mr Virtue
  • Engraver: Jacob Houbraken (Dutch, Dordrecht 1698–1780 Amsterdam)
  • Artist: After (?) John Taylor (British, died 1651)
  • Designer: Ornamental border after Hubert François Gravelot (French, Paris 1699–1773 Paris)
  • Publisher: J. and P. Knapton (British, active 1735–89)
  • Author: Relates to a series by Thomas Birch (British, 1705–1766)
  • Sitter: William Shakespeare (British, Stratford-upon-Avon 1564–1616 Stratford-upon-Avon)
  • Date: 1747
  • Medium: Etching and engraving
  • Dimensions: Plate: 14 9/16 × 9 in. (37 × 22.9 cm)
    Sheet: 15 1/16 × 9 1/2 in. (38.3 × 24.1 cm)
  • Classification: Prints
  • Credit Line: Harris Brisbane Dick Fund, 1917
  • Object Number: 17.3.756-2423
  • Curatorial Department: Drawings and Prints

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