The Story Behind Shakespeare’s Portraits and Legacy
It’s a question that has puzzled art historians, literary scholars, and lovers of Elizabethan drama alike for centuries: What did William Shakespeare really look like? The face behind the world’s most famous plays remains enigmatic, painted only a handful of times, each image wrapped in mystery, speculation, and reverence. But as we peel back the layers of history, art, and literature, the portraits of Shakespeare offer not only glimpses of the man himself but also insights into the life and enduring legacy of the Bard.
Who Painted the Portrait of Shakespeare?
Of the few portraits believed to depict William Shakespeare, none were painted during his confirmed lifetime by his hand or under his direction, at least, none that have been universally verified. But among these images, one stands out in both prominence and pedigree: the Droeshout portrait.
This engraving wasn’t a painted portrait in the traditional sense, but rather an etched likeness created by Martin Droeshout, a relatively unknown artist at the time. It was this image that adorned the title page of the First Folio, the 1623 collection of Shakespeare’s plays published just seven years after his death. Droeshout’s portrait was commissioned by Shakespeare’s actor friends and fellow collaborators, John Heminges and Henry Condell, who were instrumental in compiling the First Folio.
Despite its odd proportions, Shakespeare’s head appears almost too large for his body, the portrait is significant because it had the approval of someone who actually knew Shakespeare. That person was Ben Jonson, the famous playwright and Shakespeare’s contemporary. Jonson’s commendatory poem, printed alongside the portrait, proclaims, “This figure, that thou here seest put, / It was for gentle Shakespeare cut,” suggesting a certain level of authenticity.
Though Droeshout’s work may not be a masterpiece of realism, it holds its place as a trustworthy source, endorsed by those closest to Shakespeare in life.
What is William Shakespeare Known For?
Before diving deeper into the portraits, it’s essential to revisit why Shakespeare’s image matters at all. William Shakespeare (1564–1616) is widely regarded as the greatest playwright of all time and a towering figure in world literature.
He was a prolific writer whose works include 39 plays, 154 sonnets, and two long narrative poems. Shakespeare revolutionized the English language, inventing or popularizing words and phrases still in use today, expressions like “break the ice,” “wild-goose chase,” and “heart of gold” all trace back to his pen.
Shakespeare’s brilliance lies in his deep understanding of human nature, his ability to weave complex characters, and his use of language that resonates across the centuries. His most famous works include tragedies like Hamlet, Macbeth, and Othello; comedies such as A Midsummer Night’s Dream and Much Ado About Nothing; and powerful histories like Henry V and Richard III.
But despite his literary fame, Shakespeare the man remains somewhat elusive. His image, therefore, becomes a powerful touchstone, a way to connect visually to the mind that gave the world so much.
What is the Famous Picture of Shakespeare?
The most famous picture of William Shakespeare is, without question, the Droeshout portrait. As mentioned, this is the engraving that graced the First Folio and became the standard depiction of Shakespeare for generations.
While it might not be the most aesthetically impressive, its historical significance is unmatched. It’s the only image to appear with contemporary, firsthand approval, a fact that sets it apart from other representations. The Droeshout image has since become iconic, appearing in textbooks, theatre programs, posters, and museums around the world.
Yet it’s not the only image of Shakespeare. In fact, there are three main portraits often discussed in debates about Shakespeare’s appearance.
What Are the Three Portraits of Shakespeare?
1. The Droeshout Portrait (1623)
Artist: Martin Droeshout
Medium: Engraving
Where to See It: In the First Folio, on display at various institutions including the British Library and the Folger Shakespeare Library.
Significance: The only image published during Shakespeare’s lifetime with credible claims of authenticity.
2. The Chandos Portrait (c. 1600–1610)
Artist: Attributed to John Taylor
Medium: Oil painting
Where to See It: National Portrait Gallery, London
Significance: The Chandos portrait is the most famous oil painting of Shakespeare and was long considered the definitive image. It shows Shakespeare with long hair, a trimmed beard, an earring, and a confident, artistic demeanor. While there’s no direct evidence it was painted from life, it is believed to be based on oral memory or perhaps a sketch from a sitter who knew the playwright.
3. The Cobbe Portrait (early 17th century)
Artist: Unknown
Medium: Oil painting
Where to See It: Private collections, sometimes on loan to exhibitions.
Significance: This portrait was hidden away in private hands until its re-emergence in the 21st century. Advocates claim it may be a life portrait of Shakespeare, showing a lively, well-dressed man in his prime. Critics remain skeptical, though its age and provenance make it a tantalizing candidate.
Some scholars also include the Stratford Bust, a funerary sculpture in Holy Trinity Church, as a fourth image. Created shortly after Shakespeare’s death, it was commissioned by his family and could have been based on real knowledge of his features.
Who Was Shakespeare’s Wife?
Behind the quill and the curtain, Shakespeare led a complex personal life. At age 18, he married Anne Hathaway, a woman eight years his senior. Their marriage, like much of his life, is shrouded in speculation and intrigue.
Anne and William had three children: Susanna, and twins Hamnet and Judith. Tragically, Hamnet died at the age of 11, a loss some speculate may have influenced the dark tones of Shakespeare’s later plays.
Their relationship remains a matter of historical debate. Shakespeare spent most of his working life in London while Anne lived in Stratford-upon-Avon, and his will famously bequeathed her his “second-best bed”, a line that has intrigued scholars for centuries. Was it a slight? Or a private joke between spouses? No one can say for sure, but Anne Hathaway remains a pivotal, if mysterious, figure in the playwright’s story.
Where is Shakespeare Buried?
William Shakespeare is buried in the Holy Trinity Church in Stratford-upon-Avon, the town where he was born and where he died in 1616 at the age of 52. His grave lies in the chancel of the church, not far from the altar, a spot that would have required significant influence to secure.
Above his grave is a bust, possibly based on his likeness, and below is a cryptic epitaph, thought to have been penned by Shakespeare himself:
“Good friend for Jesus’ sake forbear,
To dig the dust enclosed here.
Blessed be the man that spares these stones,
And cursed be he that moves my bones.”
This poetic warning has seemingly worked. Shakespeare’s bones have never been exhumed, though modern ground-penetrating radar has been used to study the grave without disturbing it. The grave’s mystery, like the man it holds, remains intact.
Where to See the Most Famous Portrait of Shakespeare?
If you’re eager to see the most famous image of Shakespeare in person, your best bet is a visit to the National Portrait Gallery in London, where the Chandos Portrait hangs in a place of honor. Though not definitively authenticated, it has long captured the imagination of the public and scholars alike.
The Droeshout portrait, while an engraving and not a painting, can be found in surviving copies of the First Folio, held at institutions like:
The British Library (London)
The Folger Shakespeare Library (Washington, D.C.)
Bodleian Library (Oxford)
Each of these locations offers not only a glimpse of the famed portrait but also a deeper dive into Shakespeare’s legacy, with rare manuscripts, artifacts, and exhibitions dedicated to his work.
A Face Immortalized in Mystery
In the end, the true face of William Shakespeare may never be fully known. Yet in a way, that’s part of the magic. Just as his characters live through interpretation, Hamlet may be a brooding philosopher in one production and a mad prince in another, so too does his image.
What remains constant is the impact of his work and the timeless allure of his words. Whether you meet Shakespeare through a dusty First Folio, a framed painting in a gallery, or a marble bust watching over his grave, you’re encountering a piece of a legend. And legends, by their nature, live beyond the flesh, in stories, in art, and in the imaginations of those who continue to ask questions.
So next time you see a portrait labeled “William Shakespeare,” take a moment to look past the brushstrokes or etching lines. Imagine the man who gave us Romeo and Juliet, who knew the depths of jealousy and the power of love, who walked the stages of the Globe Theatre and etched his name forever in human culture.
That face, whether perfectly captured or merely imagined, belongs to the bard whose pen taught the world how to feel.
