William Shakespeare

Charles William Sherborn|Thomas Brooker|William Shakespeare

1876 · Engraving; sixth state of nine · Drawings and Prints

Derived from a sculpted monument at Stratford-upon-Avon, Shakespeare’s birthplace, this portrait shows the Bard dressed in a doublet and winged collar, with an aureole of laurels behind his head. Emblematic additions include a skull, Tudor rose, and volume of his writings. A plaque below lauds the subject as poet, philosopher, and actor. Sherborn was known as the "Victorian little master," and worked for Swiss goldsmiths before leading a revival of copper-engraved bookplates in London and producing this jewel-like print.

Artist

Charles William Sherborn|Thomas Brooker|William Shakespeare

Date

1876

Medium

Engraving; sixth state of nine

Department

Drawings and Prints

Credit line

Harris Brisbane Dick Fund, 1917