William Shakespeare

This small terracotta bust of William Shakespeare, dating from around 1863/4, was modelled by William John Wills (c.1826-after 1895), who taught modelling at the National Art Training School in South Kensington, the predecessor of the Royal College of Art. It was bought by the Museum in 1864, probably from the sculptor. The portrait is based on the memorial bust of Shakespeare placed on his tomb at Stratford-upon-Avon, thought to be by the Netherlandish sculptor Gerard Johnson (active 1612-23).