William Hamilton - Cymbeline, I, 1, Posthumus placing the bracelet on Imogen’s arm

William Hamilton (1751–1801) was an English painter and illustrator.
Hamilton was born in Chelsea, London, but travelled and worked in Italy with Antonio Zucchi for several years. He trained first as an architectural draftsman, but soon moved to theatrical portraits and scenes from plays.
Hamilton became an associate member of the Royal Academy from 1784, and was made a full member in 1789.
Hamilton became very well known for his paintings depicting episodes from the plays of Shakespeare and for his illustrations of poems. He was commissioned to create works for John Boydell's Shakespeare Gallery, Thomas Macklin's Bible and Robert Bowyer's English History. These were widely reproduced in popular prints.

In Collection: Illustrations to Shakespeare (View all 1404)

Merchant of Venice [III, 1] Shylock and Tubal

Merchant of Venice [III, 1] Shylock and Tubal (1800-1830)

J. Coghlan (English, 19th Century)
Boatswain; ‘Hence! What care these roarers for the name of king’ [Tempest, act I, scene I]

Boatswain; ‘Hence! What care these roarers for the name of king’ [Tempest, act I, scene I]

Walter Crane (English, 1845 - 1915)
Hamlet, V, 1 Hamlet, Mr. Tree; Horatio, Mr. Arthur Dacre; gravedigger, Mr. George Barrett

Hamlet, V, 1 Hamlet, Mr. Tree; Horatio, Mr. Arthur Dacre; gravedigger, Mr. George Barrett (1892)

Frederick Henry Townsend (English, 1868 – 1920)
Macbeth, V, Lyceum Theatre, January 15, 1889, Sir Henry Irving as Macbeth

Macbeth, V, Lyceum Theatre, January 15, 1889, Sir Henry Irving as Macbeth (1889)

John Jellicoe (English, 1842 – 1914)
Illustrations to Shakespeare Pl.020

Illustrations to Shakespeare Pl.020 (19th century)

John Massey Wright (English, 1777–1866)
Winter’s tale, this poor deserted baby was found by a shepherd

Winter’s tale, this poor deserted baby was found by a shepherd (1917-1918)

Louis Rhead (American, 1857-1926)
Illustrations to As you like it Pl.13

Illustrations to As you like it Pl.13 (1901-1910)

Hugh Thomson (American, 1860-1920)
Othello [I,1] Roderigo and Iago

Othello [I,1] Roderigo and Iago (1800-1830)

J. Coghlan (English, 19th Century)
King Henry VIII, act 1, scene 4

King Henry VIII, act 1, scene 4 (19th century)

William Francis Starling (English, active 1833 - 1845)
Illustrations to As you like it Pl.33

Illustrations to As you like it Pl.33 (1901-1910)

Hugh Thomson (American, 1860-1920)
King Henry 6th (second pr), Mother Jourdain, Hume, Bolingbroke, &c, act I, scene IV

King Henry 6th (second pr), Mother Jourdain, Hume, Bolingbroke, &c, act I, scene IV (19th century)

William Francis Starling (English, active 1833 - 1845)
Midsummer night’s dream, a wood, Puck, act II, scene I

Midsummer night’s dream, a wood, Puck, act II, scene I (19th century)

William Francis Starling (English, active 1833 - 1845)
Romeo and Juliet; Mercutio

Romeo and Juliet; Mercutio

Percy Anderson (English, 1851-1928)
As you like it, V, 4

As you like it, V, 4

Francis Philip Stephanoff (English, 1787–1860)
Illustration from A Midsummer night’s dream

Illustration from A Midsummer night’s dream (1901)

Fanny Railton (English, 19th Century)
View all 1404 Artworks