Shakespeare in Art:

Tempests, Tyrants and Tragedy

About the
exhibition

Shakespeare was a master of dramatising human emotions in their myriad forms. His plays are as relevant to us today as they were over 400 years ago and they remain a vital source of inspiration to artists. This major new exhibition focuses on pivotal Shakespeare plays, including The Tempest, Hamlet, Macbeth and A Midsummer Night’s Dream, all of which have motivated artists across the ages, from George Romney, Henry Fuseli, DG Rossetti, John Singer Sargent and GF Watts to Karl Weschke, Kristin & Davy McGuire and Tom Hunter.

Commemorating the 400th anniversary of Shakespeare’s death, Shakespeare in Art offered an exceptional opportunity for art and theatre lovers to discover his works through a unique series of theatrical encounters. These included paintings, photography, projection and a sound score and readings by leading Royal Shakespeare Company actors. Uniquely for an art gallery, the exhibition was designed by the RSC Director of Design, Stephen Brimson Lewis.

Organised by Compton Verney in association with the Royal Shakespeare Company.

Advised by Michael Dobson, Director of the Shakespeare Institute and Professor of Shakespeare Studies, University of Birmingham.