THE TOP ARTWORKS INSPIRED BY WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE

The Top Artworks Inspired by William Shakespeare

A man of timeless reputation, William Shakespeare, is still celebrated for his contribution to the world of literature. Be it the Victorian era or the Contemporary era, Shakespeare not only purloins the show but also leaves his mark on the minds of audiences. Why is he so vital that no literary discussion feels complete without this man? 

The reason is quite simple. He portrays the true circumstances in his plays that are but a reflection of today. He fills his character with emotional realities that are true, eternal, and relatable. His characters go through relatable experiences from family feuds to waging wars.

Above all, he enmeshes creativity in his writings that has surpassed the boundaries of space. Therefore, his works and his reputation transcend the limits of time. 

Not only has Shakespeare inspired writers and readers, but his literary victories have also inspired artists all around the globe. Many painters have fashioned art by keeping Shakespeare’s works as their muse.

The Top Six Artworks Inspired by William Shakespeare

Here are the top 06 artworks inspired by Shakespeare.

Romeo and Juliet by Frank Dicksee

The romanticist painter, Frank Dicksee, captured a scene from Shakespeare’s ageless love story, Romeo and Juliet. Dicksee painted this art in 1844. The picture depicts passion, love, and romance.  Romeo is holding Juliet to kiss her for the last time. Both of them are absorbed in each other’s love as Romeo has come all the way to steal a kiss from his beloved. 

“thus with a kiss I die.”

The color red symbolizes his passion, love, and the risks involved. All in all, it represents his love.

Miranda in the Tempest by John William Waterhouse

The personification of innocence, Miranda is a character from Shakespeare’s play named The Tempest.  Waterhouse has captured a scene from the play where Miranda is detained with her father for a period of almost 12 years. Miranda is seen watching a shipwreck in the painting. 

“How features are abroad

I am skilless of, but, by my modesty,

The jewel in my dower, I would not wish

Any companion in the world but you,

Nor can imagination form a shape

Besides yourself to like of. “

7 Ages of Man by Richard Kindersley

Reflecting the transitory nature of human existence, the seven Ages of Man totem was crafted by Richard Kindersley in 1980. It is another piece of art that is inspired by William Shakespeare’s play, As You Like It. One of the characters narrates the seven ages of man. The Totem, basically, is a representation of a man’s fleeting life phases and silent crying to cherish these fleeting phases.

The seven ages are Infant, Schoolboy, Lover, Soldier,  Justice, Pantalone, and Second Childhood.  

“All the world’s a stage, and all the men and women merely players”

Desdemona (1892) – Rodolfo Amoedo

Rodolfo Amoedo gave life to Desdemona in a romantic style. Desdemona is a character from the play Othello. This particular artwork depicts her murder scene. Cloaked in her wedding dress and lying on the wedding sheets, Desdemona meets her death. The color of her dress and bed sheets is white, which further represents her innocence, purity, and fidelity.

“His unkindness may defeat my life

But never taint my love.”

Francesco Hayez – Romeo and Juliet 

Another image painted by Hayez mirrors the intense love and passion surrounding Romeo and Juliet.

“My bounty is as boundless as the sea,
My love as deep; the more I give to thee,
The more I have, for both are infinite.”

‘As You Like It’ (3 panels) by Arthur Hughes

Another painting drawn on the play, As You Like It is by Arthur Hughes. The painting consists of three scenes set in the forest. The first scene pictures Audrey becoming a fool, the second one displays a meeting with a servant, and the last one is the Duke’s daughter disguised as a man.

Henry Fuseli paints an evocative picture of the scene of Macbeth when Macbeth meets Lady Macbeth after killing Duncan. Lady asks him to give her the daggers and the painting captures all the emotions in this scene. Fear, horror, and secrecy in the picture skillfully reflect the psychology of the characters in the play.

“I laid their daggers ready;

He could not miss ‘em. Had he not resembled

My father as he slept, I had done’t.”

William Shakespeare’s influence isn’t confined to the pages of literature; it spills beautifully onto canvases around the world. His timeless stories and emotionally layered characters have inspired countless artists to bring his words to life through powerful visual art.