Art Inspired by Shakespeare

One of the marks of a truly great artist is the ability to inspire more art. And Shakespeare is no exception. His plays have given rise to creative projects in all mediums. Here we are focusing on some of the non-written art that Shakespeare has inspired long after his death.

19th Century: Paintings

The dramatic pinnacles of Shakespeare's plays are perfect for depiction in a visual medium. Here, let's take a look at some of these paintings, focusing mostly on the 19th Century. The paintings appear in chronological order.

1) The Three Witches or The Weird Sisters by Henry Fuseli

This work by Anglo-Swiss painter Henry Fuseli (1741-1825) is one of his most famous pieces. The gender depiction of the three witches is especially striking––it is taken directly from Macbeth's words: "you should be women, / And yet your beards forbid me to interpret / That you are so" (Act I, Scene 3). The ominous tone of the play is well depicted by shadow and composition. There is some debate as to which moment of the play is depicted here: the first time Macbeth encounters the witches (Act I, Scene 3) or the appearance of the three apparitions (Act IV, Scene 1).

The Three Witches or The Weird Sisters
Henry Fuseli, ca. 1785, oil on canvas.
Image credit: The Huntington.

2) The Plays of Shakespeare by Sir John Gilbert

This masterpiece by English artist Sir John Gilbert (1817-1897) borrows the conceit of Raphael's School of Athens to depict characters from various Shakespearean plays all in one painting. The work is roughly divided into three sections: main characters from tragedies occupy the foreground, historical figures occupy the middle, and supernatural beings occupy the upper region. See how many of the figures you can identify!

The Plays of Shakespeare
Sir John Gilbert, ca. 1849, oil on canvas.
Image credit: Wikimedia Commons.

3) Desdêmona by Rodolfo Amoedo

This work by Brazilian painter Rodolfo Amoedo depicts the immediate aftermath of Desdemona's death in Othello. The shadow is perhaps that of Othello or Emilia, looking on in horror. The painting is held by the Museu Nacional de Belas Artes in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

Desdêmona
Rodolfo Amoedo, 1892, oil on canvas.
Image credit: Google Arts & Culture.

4) Miranda by John William Waterhouse

This work by English painter John William Waterhouse (1849-1917) portrays Miranda witnessing the shipwreck conjured by her father, Prospero, in The Tempest. This painting became one of the most celebrated by Waterhouse, and is today the most well-known piece of visual art inspired by The Tempest.

Miranda
John William Waterhouse, 1916, oil on canvas.
Image credit: Sotheby's.

20th Century: Cinema

Shakespeare's plays have also served as inspiration for the moving picture. The 20th Century saw the rise of Shakespeare-inspired films. The ones noted here are films inspired by Shakespeare, not filmed productions of Shakespeare's plays.

1) Kiss Me Kate

This classic 1948 musical inspired by The Taming of the Shrew follows two divorced actors as they perform a musical version of Shakespeare's play. The film adaptation from 1953 stars Kathryn Grayson and Howard Keel.

Image credit: IMDb.

2) West Side Story

A film adaptation of the 1957 Broadway play of the same name, West Side Story draws its inspiration from Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet, resetting the conflict between the Montague and Capulet families as a fight for power among two New York City gangs, the Sharks and the Jets. The 1961 film stars Natalie Wood as Maria and Richard Beymer as Tony, with music composed by Leonard Bernstein and lyrics written by Stephen Sondheim. A second film adaptation, directed by Stephen Spielberg, was released in 2021.

Video credit: MGM.

3) Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead

Based on the 1966 play of the same name by Tom Stoppard, Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead is a reimagining of Hamlet from the perspective of Hamlet's two childhood friends. The 1990 film adaptation stars Gary Oldman and Tim Roth.

Image credit: IMDb.

4) The Lion King

This 1994 Disney animated classic, inspired by Hamlet, is perhaps the best-known of all works of art inspired by Shakespeare's plays. With original music by Elton John, the film is a staple for all age groups, all across the world. The Lion King has also given rise to a critically-acclaimed Broadway show, and a 2019 live-action remake.

Video credit: Disney+.

5) Shakespeare in Love

This romantic comedy, released in 1998, depicts an imagined love affair between William Shakespeare and Viola de Lesseps, which inspires Shakespeare to write Romeo and Juliet. The film was released to both popular and critical acclaim, grossing over 289 million USD and winning 3 Golden Globe Awards, 2 Screen Actors Guild Awards, 4 British Academy Film Awards, and 7 Oscars.

Image credit: IMDb.

6) 10 Things I Hate About You

Another romantic comedy, 10 Things I Hate About You, was released in 1999, just one year after Shakespeare in Love––but to a younger audience. 10 Things I Hate About You is a modernization of The Taming of the Shrew, set in an American high school. Since its release, it has become a classic of the teen film genre.

Video credit: Trailer Chan.

21st Century: Fashion

In the 21st Century, Shakespeare's influence has marked the fashion world. Let's take a look at some Shakespearean-inspired collections.

1) Valentino Haute Couture Fall 2016 Collection

The Valentino haute couture collection for Fall 2016 was inspired by Elizabethan fashion, often characterized by opulence and dramatic flair. The collection featured many easily recognizable Elizabethan pieces, from ruffs to doublets.

Image credit: Vogue Magazine.

2) Nabil Nayal SS19 Collection

The Nabil Nayal SS19 Collection made history as the first fashion collection to be hosted at the British Library. The collection drew from Elizabethan fashion and historical moments, including the Tilbury Speech delivered by Queen Elizabeth I in 1588.

Image credit: The British Library.

3) All The World's a Stage

But Shakespeare's influence on fashion is prevalent on all scales, from globally-recognized brand names to small businesses. All The World's a Stage creates high-quality, handmade pieces of jewelry inspired by Shakespeare's plays––beginning with Romeo and Juliet, which inspired the "Two Households" series (pictured in the two side-by-side images on the first level below). To learn more, visit the All The World's a Stage website, or interact with the small business on social media: Instagram, Facebook, or TikTok (@.alltheworldsastage).

Image and video credits: All The World's a Stage.