Shakespeare and His Contemporaries

James Faed, after John Faed

National Gallery of Art

The image shows a group of twelve men in a room with ornate interior decoration. Ten men are visible from the waist up, while the other two are visible from the knees up. The men are seated or standing in various positions. A man, presumed to be William Shakespeare, is seated, with one hand on a table and the other on his knee. He has distinct facial features, a high forehead, a short beard, mustache, and short, wavy hair. The men are dressed in period attire from the late 16th to early 17th century. Some are holding quills and papers, and some are wearing hats. There is no prominent jewelry, but their outfits are richly detailed. The setting includes a heavy curtain, a window with detailed glasswork, wood-paneled walls, and what appears to be an architectural fireplace or alcove. Books and papers are scattered throughout.